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NEW BRUNSWICK ; 



WITH A BRIEF OUTLINE OF 



NOVA SCOTIA, 



AND 



PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 

Their History, Civil Divisions, Geography, and Productions ; 



WITH STATISTICS OF THE SEVERAL COUNTIES ; AFFORDING VIEWS 

OF THE RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES OF THE PROVINCES, 

AND INTENDED TO CONVEY USEFUL INFORMATION, AS 

WELL TO THEIR INHABITANTS, AS TO EMIGRANTS, 

STRANGERS, AND TRAVELLERS, AND FOR THE USE 

OF SCHOOLS. 



W 



BY ALEXANDER MONRO, ESQ., 

Author of a Treatise on Theoretical and Practical Land Surveying. 



HALIFAX, N. S. : 
PBINTED BY RICHARD NUGENT. 

1855 

J 



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ft. 



INTRODUCTION 



It is fully understood, by the few -who have studied the resources of the 
Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, that they possess all the ele- 
ments necessary to their elevation in the scale of nations : a healthy cli- 
mate ; an excellent soil for agricultural purposes ; inexhaustible forests 
of valuable timber, accessible by an extensive sea-board, and by naviga- 
ble rivers ; immense mineral resources, and an unparalleled coast and 
river fishery ; — all of which, when developed, are highly calculated to ena- 
ble the inhabitants of these Provinces to compete with those of any other 
country, of equal extent, on the American continent. And the little colony 
of Prince Edward Island, although it may not abound with minerals, is in- 
valuable in all the other advantages above referred to. 

One of the principal reasons for so little having been done, commensurate 
with this extent of resources and capability for developement, is the igno- 
rance, in a great measure, even of the colonists themselves, but more espe- 
cially of the inhabitants of the mother country — that source to which the 
colonists looks for aid— of the true character of these Provinces. When a 
body of men, possessing such facilities for knowledge as " the Commission- 
ers of National Education in Ireland," would give to the youth of Great 
Britain and America a book on geography, so recent as 1849, stating that 
the chief rivers of New Brunswick are the Saint John, the Shubenacadie, 
and the Annapolis ; and that the inhabitants employ themselves, during 
the winter season, in rolling logs down the banks, and taking them to Hali- 
fax in the spring,— it is no wonder that it was asked, probably taking thi3 
geography as a guide, " How far it was from Halifax to Nova Scotia ?" It 
is not unfrequent to find, in perusing descriptions of those colonies by the 
press of Great Britain, that the whole of them, 35,000,000 acres, are in- 
cluded in that of Canada. 

It is almost impossible to advance in the scale of general improvement, 
without more than ordinary efforts. In this age of panoramic representa- 
tion, it will not do merely to imagine the existence of resources, without 
making them, as well as their worth, both know*n and appreciated. They 
must be placed, in miniature, on the tables of those numerous exhibitions of 
national products and artistic industry, which are now going hand in hand 
with increased commercial skill and intellectual improvement. 

The details necessary to a real knowledge of these Provinces should be 
taught in our schools and literary institutions, in order to be properly un- 
derstood at home. A cheap work, detailing their capabilities, is required 
to be circulated in the mother country, so that a portion of her super- abun- 
dant population might be induced to take up their residence in this extensive 
portion of her dominions. How much, it may be asked, have these colonies 
done to elevate their character in any respect. At that ever-memorable ex- 
hibition of the industry of all nations, held in London, when almost every 
country stood forth in bold relief to the world, $ova Scotia, it is true, pre- 
sente4 a partial exhibition of her resources, for which s)ie got Jier gbare of 



IV 

praise ; but how did New Brunswick figure ? "By a lump of asphaltwn, 
the figure of an Indian, and a hark canoe /" And at the exhibition re- 
cently held in New York, this Province was represented " solely by two 
beaver hats, and a box of biscuit ! I" What an exhibition to make by a 
Province whose resources are so varied and extensive ! Why did not some 
friend draw a curtain over the whole 1 I am sure his name would have 
been emblazoned in letters of gold on the flags of our Provincial Exhibi- 
tions, — exhibitions which, if they had been made in London or New York, 
would have eclipsed many of those which have been receiving the praise of 
an admiring public. 

And with regard to the principal part of the works written on these colo- 
nies, they have either been confined to detached parts of their resources, or 
they have expatiated to such an extent upon Indian wigwams, canoes, haunts, 
customs, manners, &c, that, however true, as matters of history, they must, 
when presented to those desirous of emigrating, have a tendency to impress 
their minds with the idea that their lives would be in danger as soon as they 
disembarked on the shores of the Province ; and that the inhabitants are 
still living in the midst of Indian squalor. Such, however, is far from the 
truth — for the aggregate number of Indians in these three Provinces is not 
more than 2000, out of a gross population of not less than 550,000 souls ; 
and, whatever may have been their original number and character, they are 
now a very harmless and inoffensive people — much more so than a great 
proportion of the super-abundant population of the mother country. See 
pages 275 and 278 of this work. 

It is almost impossible for colonies of such amplitude and varied capabili- 
ties, and with so limited and scattered a population, and having their atten- 
tion directed to so many different pursuits, to make a comparative progress 
in the general advancement of their trade, and the developement of their 
other industrial resources. In addition to the obscurity in v»hich these colo- 
nies have been enveloped, their inhabitants, while they have done much to 
advance their progress, have still, in some respects, themselves assisted in 
retarding it, by drawing unfair comparisons as to the relative progress of 
their own country and the United States, the latter possessing great nation- 
al powers, and into which has been pouring for years a large portion of the 
inhabitants, industry, intelligence and wealth of Europe, besides the gold of 
California. These unfair comparisons are generally made at the least tem- 
porary depression or drawback in the prices of ships or deals, or any failure 
in the growth of agricultural produce. We forget that other countries suf- 
fer reverses both in agriculture and commerce ; and we require a little of 
the nationality, as well as of the education, that characterize the Union. It 
would be difficult to find a native of the States underrating his own coun- 
try ; but, on the contrary, we invariably hear him boasting of her resour- 
ces, her institutions, and her commerce, and frequently asserting that there 
is no part of her wide domain, however sterile and barren the soil, or how- 
ever limited the apparent capabilities, in which he could not make money. 
It is now generally admitted that the inhabitants of these colonies live easier, 
and do not labor so hard, as those of the United States ; and one thing is 
certainly true, and it is much to be regretted, that there is not the same 
value placed on time in the colonies as there is in the Union. 

Until very recently, a great proportion of the inhabitants of these lower 
Provinces have abandoned, and frequently sacrificed, the good old farms, 
q» which their fathers have resided and lived independently, in order to be- 



come qualified for the law, or some other profession or occupation, under the 
idea of living easier and more respectably than by tilling the soil ; a course 
Which, to say nothing of its effects upon the comforts or happiness of indi- 
viduals, has in many instances proved highly inimical to the best interests 
of these labor-requiring countries. 

That a proper value might be set on the resources and capabilities of the 
Provinces, than which nothing would more effectually tend to make them 
properly understood and adequately appreciated, has been the main object 
of the writer in devoting no small trouble, labor and expense to the prepara- 
tion of the following pages ; it will be for his readers to decide how far his 
humble but zealous efforts have been successful. The map shewing the 
sub-divisions of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island 
will be found useful to the reader, as well as the one shewing the roads 
railroads, and minerals. 

In addition to my having personally traversed a large portion of these 
colonies, I have consulted nearly all the works extant on their natural and 
statistical resources, and have received much valuable information from nu- 
merous friends in different parts of these Provinces, for which they have my 
best thanks. Trusting that the information thus collected and arranged 
may tend to produce a better knowledge of these infant and comparatively 
unknown dependencies of the Crown of Great Britain, and may be the 
means of removing or lessening these erroneous impressions to which I have 
before alluded, and may also be found useful as a directory to persons desir- 
ous of adopting them as their home, is the sincere desire of the writer. 

In consequence of the writer residing so far from the Press (one hundred 
and thirty miles) while the work was being published, and the delay occa- 
sioned by sending the proof-sheets to the writer and returning them to the 
Printer, a few inconsiderable errors have been committed in the part of the 
work not proof-read by the author, which will be found in the table of Er- 
rata. 

The whole, however, with its numerous imperfections, is dedicated to an 
indulgent Public, by 

ALEXANDER MONRO. 

Bay Verte, Westmoreland County, N. B., ) 
October, 1855. ] 



VI 



TO INSTRUCTORS OF YOUTH. 

While the general reader is referred to the title page for an explanation 
of the ostensible object of the following pages, we beg to direct the attention 
of the teachers of parish schools to the principal subjects, and the pages 
where they may be found, which we believe every child in the British Pro- 
vinces should be acquainted with, namely : — 

The situation, area, number, population, and political character of the 
Provincial divisions into which British North America is divided, with their 
respective head quarters and chief towns ; the number of counties in each 
Province — their boundaries, sub-divisions into parishes, and their shire- 
towns ; Geography ; General Description ; Early History ; Climate : Geolo- 
gy ; position, extent and variety of Minerals ; Agricultural Capabilities ; 
extent, variety, and uses of their Forest Trees ; Fisheries —their extent and 
natural history, and other natural advantages ; along with statistics of the 
extent of their improvement, &c. 
New Brunsivick ; — 

Early History, see pages 4 to 7. Boundaries and General Description, 
7 — 9. Geography, Latitudes, Longitudes, and Tides, 10 — 19. Distances, 
Civil Divisions, and Political Department, 21 — 27. Judicial Institutions, 
their number and duties, 29 — 31. Currency, 48. Climate, 49. Agricul- 
tural Productions, Indigenous Shrubs, and Herbaceous Plants, 55—56. 
Agricultural Capabilities, 56. Fisheries, natural history of, 87 to 93. 
Natural History : Ornithology, Zoology, 94—96. Botany, 96—103. 
Geology, 103 — 109. Summary Description of the St. John, 178 — 182. 
Historical Sketch, 183 — 185. Passing Observations, 210. Historical 
Memoranda, 230—234. Provincial Education, Literature, and Religious 
Denominations, 245 — 258. 
Nova Scotia ; — 

History of, 260-275. Aborigines, 275—278. Earthquakes. 278— 
280. Boundaries, 280. Civil Divisions, 281. Geography, 281—287- 
Geology, 287. Forest Trees, 295. Climate and Agriculture, 300—302. 
Political and Judicial Institutions, 306 — 307. Education, Literature, and 
Religious Denominations, 316. Island of Cape Breton, 344. 
Prince Edward Island ; — 

Geography, History, 352 — 356. Civil Divisions and Political Depart- 
ment, 356 — 359. General Description, 359. Climate, 365. Geology, 
§63. Agriculture, &c., &c. 



Introduction, 

Map of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, 

and Prince Edward Island, 
Map of Roads, Railroads, and Minerals, 

CHAPTER I. 

Extent and Resources of British North 
America, 

Historical Sketch of New Brunswick, 

Remarkable Dates, 

Boundaries and general description of 
New Brunswick, 

Geography of New Brunswick, 

Latitudes and Longitudes, 

Tides, 

Light Houses, 

Distances, 

Civil Divisions of New Brunswiok, 

Political Department, 

Judicial Institutions, 

Jurors, 

Post Office Department, 

Surveyor General's Department, 

Currency, 

Table of Currency of Lower Provinces, 

Banks, 

Climate, 

Agricultural capabilities of New Bruns- 
wick, 

Agricultural Societies, 

Roads, 

Railways, 

Electric Telegraph, 

Ship-building, 

Lumbering, 

The Fisheries — their extent and com- 
mercial importance, 

Fisheries — Natural History, 

Natural History — Ornithology, 

Zoology, 

Botany, 

Geology, 

Revenue— Reciprocity Treaty, 

Manufactures, 

CHAPTER H. 

County and City of St. John, 
County of Charlotte, 
King's County, 
Queen's County, 
County of Sunbury, 
York, 

« e Carlton, 

" Victoria, 
Summary description of the St. John 

River, &c, 
Historical sketch of the river St. John, 
Restigouche County, 
County of Gloucester, 
Recapitulatory sketch of the Bay Ch«- 

leur, 
County of Northumberland, 
Passing Observations, 
County of Kent, 

«* Westmoreland, 

" Albert, 
Historical Memoranda, 



INDEX, 



Page 



1 
4 
5 

7 

10 
16 
17 
19 
21 
22 
22 
29 
82 
83 
85 
44 
48 
48 
49 

66 
67 
71 
75 

78 
79 
81 

82 

87 

94 

95 

96 

103 

109 

118 

125 
136 
144 
161 
157 
160 
170 
174 

178 
183 
185 
193 

200 
201 
210 
211 
216 
226 



CHAPTEB HI. 

Provincial Tables, 

Table, shewing extent of, and facilities 

for farther settlement, 
Public Lands — system of locating and 

instruments employed, 
Provincial Education, 
Literature, 

Religious denominations, 
Addenda, 

chapter rv. 
Nova Scotia — Brief Outline of the 

History of, 
Historical Memoranda, 
Aborigines, 
Earthquakes, 

Boundaries of Nova Scotia, 
Civil Divisions, 
Geography, 
Geology, 

Forest Trees of Nova Scotia, 
Fisheries of Nova Scotia, 
Climate, 
Agriculture, 

Political and Judicial Institutions, 
Post Office Department, 
Revenue, 
Light Hotises, 
Manufactures, 
Provincial Exhibition, 
Roads, Distances, &c, 
Education, Literature, and Religious 

Denominations, 
Halifax, City and County— Railways, 
County of Lunenburg, 
Queen's County, 
Shelburne, 
County of Yarmouth, 
County of Digby, 
Annapolis County, 
King's County, 
County of Hants, 
Colchester, 

County of Cumberland, 
Pictou, 

The County of Sydney, 
The County of Guysborough, 
The Island of Cape Breton, 
Sable Island, 

Prince Edward Island — Geography, 

History, 

Civil Divisions, and Political Depart- 
ment, 

General Descripticn, 

Climate — Geology, 

Agriculture, &c, 

Progressive Population — Education, 

Postal arrangements, and means of 
transit, 

Light Houses — Fisheries, 

Commerce, Revenue, &c, 

Currency, 

CHAPTER v. 



230 j Emigration, 



Page 

235 

239 

242 
245 
255 
257 
258 



260 

273 

275 

278 

280 

281/ 

281 

287 

295 

297 

300 

801 

306 

307 

308 

310 

811 

313 

814 

816 
320 
325 
826 
327 
328 
329 
330 
332 
333 
334 
336 
340 
342 
343 
844 
851 

352 
853 

356 
359 
863 
864 
866 

868 
870 
871 
372 

373 



! 









CHAPTER I 



EXTENT AND RESOURCES OF BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. 

The vast extent of the British possessions in North America is scarcely 
known even to its inhabitants ; and there are few of our fellow countrymen 
on the other side of the Atlantic, who are aware that British America 
includes a larger area than that under the government of the United States. 
A great part indeed is at present uncultivated and unproductive, except to 
the hunter and the courier de bois. The territories of the Hudson's Bay 
Company contain, no doubt, the locality of many a future province. Van- 
couvers', and other Islands in the Pacific, besides British Oregon, may 
hereafter afford homes to a numerous population, and give rise to new and 
extensive branches of commerce ; but, without indulging in these anticipa- 
tions, we shall find an ample field for our present inquiries, in the somewhat 
better known provinces of Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and 
Prince Edward Island. Canada, indeed, is too extensive, and requires too 
large a grasp to be made the subject of our present limited volume ; and 
each of the other provinces might well deserve a work of its own. New 
Brunswick is therefore our principal object, and the chapters devoted to 
the other two lower colonies must be considered as a very brief sketch of 
their present state. 

These five Provinces, which should be united under one general Govern- 
ment, either by a Federal or Legislative Union, as may be found best suited 
to the wants and wishes of their inhabitants, may, at no very distant day, 
become the seat of a great and powerful Empire. The following is a brief 
summary of the entire superficial contents of this widely extended territory, 
so far as it has been hitherto divided into distinct provinces : — 

Canada East, 128.659,680 

" West, 31,'745,539 



160,405,219 

New Brunswick, 20,000,000 
Nova Scotia proper, and 11,534,196 
Cape Breton, 2,000,000 

13,534,196 

Newfoundland, 23,040,000 

Prince Edward Island, 1,360,000 

Total area of Br. North American ) 

Provinces, exclusive of the Hud- V 218,339,415 

son' s Bay territory and Labrador, ) 

Aggregate population in 1830, 1,375,000 

3 



At the latest date to which the census was taken, the population ranged 
as follows : — 





Year. 


Population. 


Upper Canada, 


1852, 


952,239 


Lower Canada, 


1852, 


890.261 


New Brunswick, 


1851, 


193,800 


Nova Scotia, 


1851, 


276,117 


Prince Edward Island, 


1848, 


62,678 


Newfoundland, 


1851, 


101,600 


Hudson's Bay Territory, 


1851, 


180,000 


Labrador, 


1851, 


5,000 



Total population to these dates, 2,661,695 

The number of inhabitants has doubled in about twenty years. Upper 
Canada, however, far exceeds this ratio, having more than doubled its popu- 
lation during the last ten years, and its increase has exceeded that of any 
other country in the world. The United States, from 1840 to 1850, have 
not added 6.666 per cent, to their inhabitants, and England only doubled 
itself in the last half century. Looking to the future, and assuming that 
Upper Canada numbered 950,000 at the commencement of 1851, and that 
the increase proceeds at the same ratio, she will have 2,050,000 in 1861, 
and 4,225,000 in 1871. 

The exports of these colonies have increased more than jive- fold 
during the last half century. 

The aggregate value of the exports in 1806, was, (cur- 
rency,) £1,821,885 
In 1834 it amounted to 4,130.878 
And in 1851 to 8,930^000 
Tonnage of Ships. — In 1806, the tonnage outwards 

from all the Provinces, was 124.247 tons. 

In 1831, 836,668 " 

In 1851, 1,583,104 " 

In 1851 the tonnage inward amounted to 1,570.663 " 

These figures prove that the trade of these Provinces has doubled itself 
within the last twenty years. 

Hence, shipbuilding has become a large item of colonial industry, not 
only to accommodate the trade of the Provinces themselves, but also for 
sale in Great Britain. This branch of business is at the present time mak- 
ing a progress altogether unprecedented in colonial history. In 1832, the 
aggregate of ships built, was 33,777 tons. 

In 1841, 104.087 " 

In 1850, 112,787 " 

Thus the increase in the tonnage of new vessels built in these colonies 
has been more than three-fold during eighteen years. In the same years 
we find the vessels built in the United States to be as follows : — 
In 1832, 85,962 tons. 

In 1841, 118,309 " 

In 1850, 272/218 " 

British North America is of course far behind the American Republic in 
point of tonnage, the amount owned by the latter in the year 1850 having 
reached nearly three million and a half of tons ; still, for the last twenty 
years, the comparative ratio of progression has kept pace, in this important 



item, with that enterprising nation. The gross amount of tonnage now 
owned by the Provinces is more than half a million, which is exceeded by 
only three nations of the world, viz., England, the United States, and 
Russia. 

Thus a comparison of the means, the population, and the maritime re- 
sources of these infant dependancies of the British empire, with those of 
other and older countries, better known, and with far greater advantages, 
will afford no unfavorable contrast ; and what has been already effected, 
proves as well the enterprise of their inhabitants, as the results that may be 
expected from an adequate increase in their wealth and population. 

Before dismissing this subject, we may remark on the expediency of a 
union of these five Provinces, on one of the bases before suggested. There 
appear to be many reasons why such a union would be beneficial to the 
whole, and would remove various impediments to their prosperity. At pre- 
sent, the currency differs in almost every colony ; the post offices are sub- 
ject to separate management, and there is a consequent want of accordance 
in the arrangements ; duties are imposed on some articles of inter-colonial 
manufacture, as well as on all foreign goods carried from one to the other, 
and these are found most vexatious and harassing to the merchant. There 
is a total absence of uniformity or system in the price of land, as well as in 
the manner of obtaining it ; the head money payable on the emigrant's 
arrival in the respective sea ports, and the quarantines to which they are 
subject, scarcely agree in any two Provinces ; and the emigrants them- 
selves, hardly knowing a distinction between one Province and the other, 
are puzzled and discouraged at the very outset of their career, by these 
minor but vexatious difficulties. Much might be said of the power and 
standing in the great family of the world, which such a union would give to 
British North America ; of the influence she, as a whole, would thus 
possess in the general councils and politics of Britain, and of the advan- 
tages that would accrue to every individual in being a member of a pow- 
erful State, entitled to equal consideration with any of the more distant 
portions of the Empire, instead of the denizen of an obscure and scarcely 
known colony, too small to be of any apparent importance in the scale of 
power — bearing but an insignificant relative value, isolated and alone, to the 
other members of the great Nation to which it belongs. All these advan- 
tages have been ably urged by some of the most eminent colonial statesmen 
of the day, and especially in the Nova Scotia Legislature, and they are de- 
serving of the utmost attention. If, however, a General Union of the 
whole, whether Federal or Legislative, should be considered beyond their 
grasp, or if any fear should be entertained that these smaller governments 
should be eclipsed and overwhelmed by their more extensive and powerful 
sister on the west, surely a union of the three Lower Provinces might be 
brought about, and thus much of the custom house, postal and other diffi- 
culties would be avoided. The example, however, of the American Federal 
Union, in which Rhode Island, and the other minor States, preserve their 
due share of power and consideration, would seem to prove that there exists 
no real and insuperable difficulty to the consolidation of the whole of the 
British Colonies into one powerful body. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 

As the avowed object of this volume is to set forth more fully the pre- 
sent resources and future prospects of this Province, for the purpose as 
well of exciting its inhabitants to a more exalted and correct notion of its 
real worth, as of acting as a directory to those who may be desirous of 
making it their future home, it may be considered foreign to our object to 
enter into a detailed historical account of those minutiae (of themselves suf- 
ficient to fill a volume) connected with its early discovery, settlement, 
conflicts with the aborigines, wars with France, the American Revolu- 
tion, and its ultimate peaceful possession by Great Britain. Of all these 
particulars, many of them no doubt highly interesting, more than a mere 
outline would be inconsistent with our present limits. 

Although the discovery of America, which took place in 1492, is due to 
Columbus, yet a more full and detailed exploration of the northern portion 
of the continent, and of its extent and resources, was made by John Cabot, 
a Venetian, who, in 1497, sailed in the employ and under the direction of 
Henry VII. of England. Thus, this enterprising navigator had discovered 
Labrador : and other places on this part of the continent, probably Nova 
Scotia and New Brunswick, before Columbus had extended his researches 
beyond the Gulf of Mexico ; from the results of this voyage England 
claimed North America by right of discovery. 

In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the gallant and ill-fated Sir Humphrey 
Gilbert took possession of Newfoundland. 

In 1604 De Monts sailed from France, commissioned by Henry IV., the 
then Sovereign of that country, and took formal possession of all the terri- 
tory from the 40th to the 46th degree of North Latitude, from Virginia 
nearly to Hudson's Bay. This extensive territory was called New France, 
of which only two small islands, St. Pierre and Miquelon, now belong to 
that power. 

De Monts explored the chief part of the coast, from Canseau, the most 
easterly point of Nova Scotia proper, to the river St. John, in New Bruns- 
wick. At that early period he discovered iron and copper ores, and esta- 
blished some settlements on the coasts of Nova Scotia, or ancient Acadia, 
which included Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and a part of the State of 
Maine. During this time, the English were planting settlements along the 
coasts of Virginia, Massachusetts, and other colonies, thus encroaching on 
the nominal limits occupied by France. This gave rise to a protracted war 
between the two countries, both claiming, under various pretexts, a large 
portion of the newly discovered continent. 

This war was carried on, with some intervals of peace and alternate 
cessions of territory, for a century and a half; numerous treaties were 
made and as frequently broken by England or France, who fitted out many 
fleets and armaments, taking and retaking forts in different parts of these 
extensive dominions, till the treaty of Versailles in 1763, by which the 
French Empire in North America was virtually annihilated. The French, 
however, by this treaty were allowed the liberty of fishing on a certain 
portion of the coast of Newfoundland, as first conferred by the treaty of 
Utrecht in 1714, and a similar privilege, under certain restrictions, in the 
Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

Soon after the termination of this war, another, still more deplorable in 
its nature, broke out, being the revolt of the "old colonies, " now the 



United States of America. In 1776 these colonies declared their indepen- 
dence, and the revolutionary struggle continued until 1783, when it was 
acknowledged by Great Britain ; thus forming a separate Government, now 
the most powerful and best administered Republic yet known in history. 

An enumeration of the privations and harassing distresses endured by the 
early settlers in this part of the continent, during the protracted struggle 
between France and England for its possession, would be truly heart rend- 
ing. This contest was closely followed by the American Revolution, and 
on both occasions each party, but more especially the French, employed the 
various Indian Tribes as auxiliaries, who carried on the war in the most 
barbarous manner, endeavouring to exterminate the hardy settlers, to whose 
bravery and persevering industry we are so deeply indebted. At leDgth, 
however, these wars came to an end, and Great Britain, by various treaties 
with France and the United States, retained the peaceable possession of 
Canada, Nova Scotia, (including New Brunswick,) the Hudson's Bay and 
Labrador territories, extending to the Pacific, together with the Islands of 
Newfoundland, Cape Breton, (since incorporated with Nova Scotia,) Prince 
Edward Island, Anticosti, and other smaller islands on the coasts of these 
countries. 

In 1784, New Brunswick was constituted a separate Province, having 
previously formed a part of Nova Scotia ; and to this day, its history, 
boundaries and resources, have been so little known in Great Britain, that 
although it is undoubtedly one of the most valuable appendages of the 
British Crown, it is frequently blended with and considered a part of either 
Nova Scotia or Canada. 

REMAEKABLE DATES. 

America discovered by Columbus, 1492 

Extension of discoveries in North America by Cabo't, 1497 

De Monts took possession of a large portion of America in the 

name of France, 1604 

Saint John River discovered by De Monts, 1604 

Canada ceded to France, by treaty of St. Germains, 1632 

Nova Scotia reconquered by Cromwell, 1634 

Treaty of Breda, ceding these territories to France, 1667 

Hudson's Bay Company established in England, 1692 

Colonel Church's expedition landed in Beau Basin, now Chig- 

necto, or Cumberland Basin, 1704 

Treaty of Utrecht concluded, by which Great Britain became 
possessed of Acadia, now Nova Scotia, &c, with boun- 
daries undefined, 1713 
War with France recommenced, 1744 
Cape Breton taken by the Provincials, 1745 
Cape Breton ceded to France, by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, 1748 
Lord Halifax dispatched an expedition under Governor Corn- 

wallis, to found a colony at Chebucto, now Halifax, 1748 

M. La Corne landed 600 men at Barge Vert, now called Bay 
Verte where he built a fort, afterwards called Fort 
Monkton, in honor of its captor, Lieut. Col. Monkton, 
who also took Fort Beau-Sejour, now called Fort Cum- 
berland, 1749 



6 

Acadians removed, 1755 

A numerous fleet, under Admiral Boscawen, and an army 
under General Amherst, were fitted out by Great Bri- 
tain ; the English again became masters of the -whole of 
Nova Scotia ; and about the same time, Lord Bollo took 
the Island of St. John, now Prince Edward Island, 1758 

Quebec taken by General Wolf, and total conquest of Canada 

by Great Britain, 1759 

Attempt to regain Quebec by France, 1760 

Treaty of Versailles, by which Britain obtained possession of 

all North America, 1763 

Settlements commenced at Maugerville, in Sunbury County, 
on the River St. John ; first grant of land made ; the 
first commission of the Peace issued, and a Court held in 
the Province, 1766 

A Congress of Representatives from the discontented colonies 
met at Philadelphia, to remonstrate against the grievances 
imposed by England, 1774 

Americans declared their independence, 1776 

General Conway's motion, for the conclusion of the war in 

America, carried in the Imperial Parliament, 1782 

Independence of the United States acknowledged, 1783 

The Loyalists landed in New Brunswick, numbering nearly 

5000 persons, 1783 

Nova Scotia divided, and New Brunswick constituted a Pro- 
vince, 1784 
Fredericton, formerly called St. Anns, became the seat of 
Government. Sir Guy Carleton appointed the first 
Governor, 1785 
At this time there were only eleven or twelve families of Aca- 
dian French, between the Nova Scotia boundary and 
Miramichi, 1787 
A duty laid on Baltic timber, while colonial timber was left 

free, 1809 

America declared war against Great Britain, 1812 

This war ended in 1814 

A convention entered into between Great Britain and America, 
defining the fishing grounds of British North America, 
and declaring that the people of the United States had 
no right to fish within three miles of the coasts, 1818 

A great fire in Miramichi, which burnt over nearly 4,000,000 
acres, destroyed 160 persons, 875 head of cattle, 595 
buildings, and about £60,000 worth of property, even the 
fish in the rivers, and many groves of excellent timber, 1825 
Kings College established by Royal Charter, 1828 

Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Land Company incorporated, 
and received a grant of 500,000 acres between Fredericton 
and Miramichi, 1834 

Potatoes affected by dry rot, 1835 

Baptist Seminary established in Fredericton, 1836 

St. Andrews and Quebec railway line explored and Company 

incorporated, 1836 



7 • 



Great fire in Saint John, by which 115 edifices were destroyed, 1837 
The casual and territorial revenues surrendered to the province, 

on its granting the annual sum of £14,500 as a civil list, 1837 
Several large fires in Saint John, destroying a large amount of 

property, in 1839 and 1841 

Slight shocks of earthquakes felt in some parts of the province 

in 1663, 1827, and 1839 

City of Saint John incorporated, 1841 
The boundary between New Brunswick and the United States 

settled in 1842 
Sackville Academy established, 1843 
Geological Survey of the Province completed, by Dr. Gesner, 1844 
City of Fredericton incorporated, 1848 
Halifax and Quebec railway surveyed, 1848 
Electric Telegraph established between St. John and Halifax. 1849 
European and North American Railway Company incorporated, 1849 
Report published by Professor Johnston, " on the Agricultu- 
ral Capabilities of the Province of New Brunswick," 1850 
Great fire in Fredericton, 1850 
Industrial Exhibition at Saint John, 1851 
Ditto in Fredericton, 1852 
Report on the Fisheries of New Brunswick, by M. H. Perley, 

Esq., 1852 
European and North American railway demonstration and 

commencement, 1853 
Potatoes were attacked by a new disease, which extended its 

ravages over Europe and America, from 1845 to 1853 

Railway commenced at Halifax, 1854 

Female Academy opened at Sackville, 1854 
Treaty of reciprocity concluded between the British Crown and 

the United States, called the Elgin Treaty, 1854 
Sir Edmund Head, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, 

removed to the General Government of Canada, 1854 

BOUNDARIES, AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

New Brunswick is situated between 45° and 48° 20' north latitude, and 
between 64° and 67° 30' west longitude. Its length from the harbor of 
St. John to Bay Chaleur, is 190 miles ; and its average breadth about 150. 
It lies nearly in the form of a rectangle, and is bounded on the south east, 
by the Bay of Fundy and Nova Scotia ; on the west, by Maine, one of the 
States of the American Union ; on the north west, by Canada and the Bay 
of Chaleur ; and on the east, by the Northumberland Straits and the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence. It contains upwards of 32,000 square miles, being nearly 
20,000,000 acres; and a population of upwards of 210,000 inhabitants. 

One of the most important features in the topography of the Province is 
its extent of sea coast, amounting to 400 miles, exclusive of the numerous 
indentations of the shore. This distance is nearly equally divided between 
the Gulf of St. Lawrence, including Northumberland Straits, and the Bay 
of Fundy. Along both coasts there are many excellent harbours, and other 
advantageous localities for shipbuilding, as well as for the prosecution of the 
fisheries and the timber trade-— three of the great staples of the Province. 



I 8 



It is much to be lamented that this colony, one of the finest possessed by 
England, should have been utterly unknown to its Parent State, or even, 
in a great measure, to its own inhabitants. The rocky and sterile appear- 
ance of the south-eastern coast may create a prejudice in the minds of those 
who approach its shores for the first time, which would speedily be dispelled 
by a view of the fine intervale land of the St. John river, the fertile 
marshes surrounding the head of the Bay of Fundy, or the rich alluvial 
tracts bordering on the Restigouche river. A description of these districts, 
so well adapted for agricultural pursuits, will be found under the heads of 
the several counties to which they respectively belong ; and we may pass 
over the rocky margin bounding the Province, to speak of the extensive 
forests covering a very large portion of the interior. Timber of every descrip- 
tion is found in vast plenty, and in the most favorable situations for reaching 
a market. We cannot describe the forests of this Province better than by 
quoting Mr. Macgregor's description of the splendid appearance of the 
British North American forests : "In Europe, in Asia, in Africa, and 
even in South America, the primeval trees, how much soever their magni- 
tude may arrest admiration, do not grow in the promiscuous style that pre- 
vails in the great general character of the North American woods. Many 
varieties of the pine, intermingled with birch, maple, beech, oak, and nume- 
rous other tribes, branch luxuriantly over the banks of lakes and rivers — 
extend in stately grandeur along the plains, and stretch proudly up to the 
very summits of the mountains. It is impossible to exaggerate the autum- 
nal beauty of these forests ; nothing under Heaven can be compared to its 
effulgent grandeur. Two or three frosty nights in the decline of autumn, 
transform the boundless verdure of a whole empire into every possible tint 
of brilliant scarlet, rich violet, every shade of blue and brown, vivid crimson 
and glittering yellow. The stern, inexorable fir tribes alone maintain their 
eternal sombre green. All others, in mountains or in valleys, burst into 
the most glorious vegetable beauty, and exhibit the most splendid and en- 
chanting panorama on earth." 

Along the high roads, on the banks of the numerous rivers, and on the 
sea-girt boundaries, the axe of the settler has been at work, and its results 
will be found under the separate heads into which the several subjects of 
this volume have been arranged. 

Taking the Province throughout, it is generally level. In the principal 
part of it, bounding on the Bay of Fundy, and for twenty miles inland, 
there are a few hills of considerable size. At this distance from the shore 
the land becomes undulating, until beyond the Tobique, and from thence to 
the Canadian boundary, it may almost be considered as mountainous ; but 
the hills are not of great height, nor the acclivities generally so steep as to 
preclude cultivation and pasturage to a considerable extent. As we return 
from the northward, there is almost an uninterrupted level, extending from 
the Restigouche to the Nova Scotia boundary, and forming a strong and 
decided contrast with the Bay of Fundy coast. Here, while the shore line 
presents the fertile corn field, the busy saw mill, and the frequent harbour, 
the interior is still, except where it has been ravaged by fire, a deep and 
almost unbroken forest. Along this coast, as fine wheat is produced as in 
any part of Britain, as was proved by the samples exhibited at the Provin- 
cial Industrial Exhibition in 1853, many of which weighed upwards of sixty 
pounds to the bushel. What a field is here presented to the industry of 
man, in his war upon the wilderness 1 What a scope for the employment 






of the surplus labour of Europe, and of the unproductive capital of Great 
Britain ? The agricultural capabilities of the whole Province are as yet 
hardly tested, owing to the paucity of its population, and the demand for 
labour in the more seductive employments of shipbuilding and making 
lumber. 

But if the cultivation of the soil of this Province invites the attention of 
the settler, how much more would the developement of its mineral wealth 
repay the expenditure of the capitalist. England has for ages been import- 
ing Russian and Swedish iron ; while her own possessions would have 
afforded her the richest materials for steel, with an abundance of charcoal 
for its manufacture — as well as coal for their own use and for exportation ; 
and a variety of other minerals scarcely less important. The specimens of 
ore that have been discovered in some parts of the Province, especially in 
the counties of St. John, Carlton, Sunbury and Queens, afford ample reason 
for believing that a diligent practical exploration would well repay its cost. 
Notwithstanding, indeed, the efforts of Dr. Gesner, under the direction of 
the Provincial Government, the geology of the country must be considered 
as still in its infancy. 

The fine harbours which abound on the eastern shore afford the greatest 
facilities for carrying on an extensive fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence 
and the Northumberland Straits, on the coasts of Newfoundland and 
Labrador, and in the Bay of Fundy. It would be out of place to enlarge 
further on this important subject, to which a separate section has been 
devoted ; but the neglect of this branch of industry has long been a subject 
of regret to all the friends of these Provinces. May we hope that it will at 
length be made available, and that the opening of markets recently effected 
by the Elgin treaty may lead to a prosecution of those advantages which 
nature has conferred upon them. 

The population of this fine colony is so clearly inadequate to its resour- 
ces, that it may not be uninteresting to enquire what number of inhabitants 
it may be fairly deemed capable of supporting. The portion of its surface 
granted, up to the present time, amounts to 6,636,329 acres ; but of these 
only about 700,000 acres are actually under cultivation. Thus there are 
nearly 6,000,000 acres owned but not improved. It may be assumed that 
a considerable part of this is 'unfit for tillage ; but if only two-thirds should 
be so available, and should be actually brought under the plough, the inha- 
bitants would be increased more than eight-fold. The 11,000,000 acres of 
ungranted lands afford a still wider field for the increase of population, 
which we may leave to the imagination of the reader. 

The very able Report of Professor Johnston, on the Agricultural resour- 
ces of the Province, goes into more minute calculations on this subject ; 
and after several estimates of its capabilities, grounded on the information 
he had obtained from various sources, and making ample deductions for the 
inferior soils, and other drawbacks, but no allowance for the produce of the 
fisheries, he comes to the following conclusion (page 31) : " Thus we ap- 
pear to fix at upwards of five and a half millions, the amount of population 
which New Brunswick, according to the data we have before us, would in 
ordinary seasons easily sustain." 



10 

GEOGRAPHY OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 

For the sake of distinction and order, we will separate the Geography of 
the Bays. Islands, Rivers, Capes and Lakes of this Province, into two divi- 
sions, which we may designate as the South and East Divisions The 
South Division comprises that part of the Province bounded by the Bay of 
Fundy, and watered by its tributaries ; and the East Division includes the 
parts bordering on the Straits of Northumberland and the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence, and on the rivers emptying therein. 

SOUTH DIVISION. 

Bays. — The Bay of Fundy, an extensive inlet of the Atlantic, almost 
deserving the name of a sea, forms the south east boundary of the counties 
of Charlotte, Saint John, and Albert, and extends north easterly to the 
isthmus that connects Nova Scotia with this province: it is about two hun- 
dred miles in length, and varies in breadth from thirty to seventy miles, 
separating the two provinces through its entire length. Ckignecto and 
Cumberland Bays form a continuation of the larger bay, and are bounded 
on the northwest by the counties of Albert and Westmoreland ; it has also 
a large branch running into Nova Scotia, under the several names of Minas, 
Channel and Basin, and Cobequid Bay. Passamaquoddy Bay lies on the 
south of Charlotte county, and separates New Brunswick from the State of 
Maine. Maces Bay is about half-way between Passamaquoddy Bay and 
St. John River. These bays are merely offsets from the spacious Bay of 
Fundy, and all, except Passamaquoddy Bay. are easy of access and afford 
safe anchorage for the largest class of vessels. There are some inland bays 
in the province which will be described in connection with its river navi- 
gation. 

Islands. — There are a cluster of islands situate in the entrance of Pas- 
samaquoddy Bay, the principal of which are Grand Manan, Deer Island, 
Cam,po Bello and the Wolf Islands. While these islands render the 
approach to this bay somewhat difficult to a stranger, they afford so fine a 
shelter for shipping when once within it, as amply to compensate for the 
difficuly of navigating between them. Partridge Island lies in the harbor of 
Saint John, and affords to the shipping a desirable' shelter from storms. 

Rivers. — The River St. Croix forms a part of thesouth west boundary 
of the province, dividing it from Maine, and also bounding Charlotte county. 
It flows into Passamaquoddy Bay. On this river are situate the towns of 
St. James', St. Stephen's, St. David's, and St. Andrew's.' .At the latter 
town is the Atlantic terminus of the railway now in progress to Woodstock. 
The Digdeguash and Maguadavie rivers are small, taking their rise in 
York county, traversing Charlotte and falling into Passamaquoddy Bay. 
L'Etang, Poclogan, New River, Lcprca. and Missqjiash, are also 
small streams, emptying themselves into the Bay of Fundy between Passa- 
maquoddy Bay and St. John River. Villages are springing up near each 
of their mouths, which afford shelter for small craft. 

The Saint John River is the largest river in New Brunswick, and only 
second to the St. Lawrence in all British North America. It takes its rise 
partly in Canada and partly in Maine and New Brunswick, and is 
navigable for ships for sixty miles, and for vessels under hundred tons 
for more than one hundred miles; indeed, light steamers ply to Wood- 



11 

stock, a distance of one hundred and forty miles from its mouth. The 
city of Saint John, the commercial emporium of this province, is situate 
at the mouth of this noble river, which affords a spacious harbor of suf- 
ficient depth for the largest vessels, free from ice, and easily accessible 
for ships of any burthen ; and in which they may lie in safety at all seasons 
of the year. Gagetown is forty-five miles, and Fredericton — the seat of 
Government — eighty-four miles from Saint John. Woodstock, possessing 
the best iron mine in the province, is sixty miles from Fredericton, and the 
Grand Falls seventy-three miles from Woodstock. During freshets, light 
steamers ascend occasionally to the Falls. Some improvements to the 
navigation are in progress on this part of the river. Were it not for the 
Grand Falls, these steam boats might ascend to the Madawaska Eiver, a 
northern tributary to the Saint John. The Tamiscouta Lake, in which 
this river originates, is twenty-eight miles long and from two to three 
miles in width, and of great depth; from its northern extremity, it is 
only eighteen miles to the Trois Pistoles, a tributary of the St. Lawrence ; 
and the intervening country presents no engineering obstacle to the con- 
struction of either a canal or railroad, which would establish a connection 
between the navigable waters of the Saint John and those of the Saint 
Lawrence. On Fish River, falling into the Saint John from the south, 
there is a chain of small lakes affording excellent lumbering facilities. 
There are a great many tributary streams emptying into the Saint John 
between the Grand Falls and Woodstock, but the principal are the Aroos- 
took and the Tobique. These rivers and their tributaries, the former on 
the west, flowing but a short distance through New Brunswick, and the 
latter on the east side of the main river, drain a vast extent of country, and 
afford great natural facilities for the outlet of timber and lumber, as well as 
for settlement. Both are navigable for boats and scows. 

Descending the river from Woodstock, we again find many streams 
navigable only to a very limited extent for boats or canoes, but down which 
logs are driven. Below Fredericton, the Nashwaak flows from the east, 
and the Oromocto from the west ; both navigable for boats for some dis- 
tance. The next of importance is the Jemseg which empties itself into 
the Saint John about fifty miles from the sea ; this narrow passage is the 
outlet of Grand La,ke in Queen's county, along the margin of which are 
large beds of coal ; it is navigable for steamers. Between the Jemseg and 
Saint John are the Washademoak Lake and River. Belleisle Bay and 
River, and the Ke?mebecassis Bay and River, all falling into the main 
stream from the eastward. All these, especially the latter, are large inland 
sheets of water, affording the greatest facilities for ship-building and lum- 
bering, as well as aiding the farmer's operations by the ready intercourse 
they give him with a large seaport. The Nerepis, a small stream, also 
joins the Saint John from the westward. The Eiver Saint John, being 
thus the common outlet for a vast number of streams and lakes, runs 
through the counties of Victoria, Carieton, York, Sunbury, Queen's, 
King's, and Saint John, besides watering, in its upper course, parts of 
Canada and Maine. Along its whole course, as well as upon almost all its 
tributaries, are formed and in progress, large and flourishing settlements, a 
description of which will be found under the heads of the several counties 
to which they belong. 

Black, Salmon, Goose, Wolf, and Shepody rivers, are the only streams 
,of any magnitude falling into the Bay of Fundy, between the St. John and 



12 

Petitcoudiac rivers ; they all afford harbors for small vessels, although not 
navigable to a sufficient extent to render their mouths places of any note. 

The Petitcoudiac River has its rise in King's county, and flows through 
Westmoreland till it reaches the county of Albert ; it then forms the boun- 
dary between that county and Westmoreland, until it empties itself into 
Chepody Bay. It is navigable for large class vessels to the Bend, a flou- 
rishing town, where a connection will be formed between the Bay of Fundy 
and the Gulf of St. Lawrence by a part of the European and North Amer- 
ican railway, now in course of construction. This town is about twenty- 
five miles from the mouth of the river, and schooners of one hundred tons 
burthen can ascend the river for fifteen miles further. Near this river, in the 
county of Albert, is a deposit of bituminous coal, of great commercial value. 

The Memramcook is a small river, navigable for schooners for about 
twelve miles ; at nine miles from its mouth is a village of the same name ; 
and within a mile of the bay is Dorchester, the shire town of Westmore- 
land. This river forms a junction with the Petitcoudiac at its embouchure. 

Tantramar and Au Lac rivers have their sources in Westmoreland, and 
in their course to their united discharge into Cumberland Basin at the head 
of Chignecto Bay, they both run through the great Tantramar Marsh in 
that county. The former is navigable for schooners for about four miles, 
but its course is obstructed by bridges. The latter is not navigable to any 
extent, but the embouchure forms a good anchorage. 

The Missaquash River, a small stream, from its source to its exit into 
the head of Cumberland Basin, forms the boundary between this province 
and Nova Scotia. • 

Lakes.; — Grand Lake, in Queen's county, is twenty-eight miles long, 
and from two to five miles broad ; there are extensive coal deposits near it, 
and the fishery would, if obstructions were removed, be important to the 
surrounding settlements. 

Maquapit Lake lies to the west of and is connected with Grand Lake, 
by a narrow water passage ; it is on the boundary between Sunbury and 
Queen's counties. 

Washademoak Lake, also in Queen's county, has a navigable outlet 
into the Saint John. This lake is nearly twenty miles long, and averages 
about three-quarters of a mile in width. It is navigable for steamers. 

Loch Lomond is a small Loch in Saint John's county. 

French Lake, in the county of Sunbury, communicates with Maquapit 
Lake by a narrow passage. 

The two Oromocto Lakes, Eel Lake, Loon Lake, Maguadavie Lake, 
and a chain of lakes along the boundary of Maine, are the sources of dif- 
ferent streams in the county of York, the first being the head of the river 
of the same name. 

/ r tophia, Redron, Red Rock, and other lakes, are in the county of 
lotte. 

Betteisle J lay, in King's county, is a recess of the River Saint John. 

Tarniscouta hake, at the head of Madawaska River has been already 
aoticed. 

CAPES. — There are no very prominent capes or points of land from the 
bead of Cumberland Basin to rassamaquoddy Bay, the shore generally not 
diverging much from a straight line : the principal are Point Lepreau } the 
south west angle of the county of Saint John, and Cape Spencer. Saint 
Marines Head, Last Quaco Head, Quaco Head, Cape Enrage*) and 



13 

Cape Meranguin, are all situate on the coast of Saint John, Albert, and 
Westmoreland counties. This part of the coast is composed, except where 
the bays or creeks have small beaches, of abrupt cliffs and deep ravines. 
The shores on both sides the Bay of Fundy are precipitous and rocky, and 
it is liable to sudden gusts of wind from the south west and north east, 
which, together with the rapid flow and great rise of the tides, and its dense 
fogs, render its navigation somewhat dangerous, though from the skill and 
intrepidity with which its coasting vessels are managed, we rarely hear of 
any serious disaster. The general course down the bay after leaving Cape 
Enrage' is south-south-west by compass. 

EAST DIVISION. 

Bays. — The Bay Chaleur is a very deep and spacious bay, second only, 
as far as New Brunswick is concerned, to the Bay of Fundy. Like that 
bay, it may almost be called a sea, being eighty miles in length and from 
eleven to twenty-seven in breadth ; and resembles the latter also in having 
a number of minor bays within its limits. It forms the most northern 
boundary of the province, dividing it from Canada. Opening into it are 
Eel Bay, near Dalhousie, the capital of Restigouehe county, and Resti- 
gouche Bay or Harbour at its head, being the estuary of the River Resti- 
gouche ; also Nepisiguit Bay, a spacious harbour, at the head of which is 
Bathurst, the capital of Gloucester county. Great and Little Shippegan 
harbours lie to the westward of Shippegan and Miscou Islands, and within 
the Bay of Chaleur ; the former comprises several large and commodious 
harbours, and the latter is well sheltered, with safe anchorage and deep 
water. The Bay Chaleur indeed, with its numerous secondary bays and 
harbours, is well calculated to become the rendezvous of a national navy. 

Poke Monche and Tracadie Lagoon, are small harbours on the coast 
of the county of Gloucester, between Chaleur and Miramichi Bays. 

The harbour of Miramichi, besides the Napan Bay, and Bay du Vin, 
which may be called its two branches, is formed by two principal bays, 
known as the Outer and Inner Miramichi Bays, separated by Portage and 
other islands ; the Inner Bay is nine miles in width, and has a sufficient 
depth of water to allow vessels of up to eight hundred tons burthen to pass 
its bar. This bay affords the best harbour, except those of the Bay of 
Chaleur, on the eastern coast of the province. At the head of the bay, or 
rather on the river of the same name, are the towns of Chatham and New- 
castle, both in Northumberland county. 

Kouchihouguac, Kouchibouguacis, and Alduin, are small harbours 
lying north of Richibucto, and within Kouchihouguac Bay. 

Richibucto harbour also lies within this spacious Bay ; and a town at 
the head of the harbour, and of the same name, formerly called Liverpool, 
is the capital of the county of Kent. This harbour, in common with many 
others on this coast, is subject to obstruction from sand bars. However, 
as the Legislature have lately undertaken to dredge the north eastern har- 
bours of this Province, much improvement in the approaches to them is 
confidently hoped for. 

From Cape Escuminac, at the south easterly entrance of Miramichi, to 
the mouth of Richibucto harbour, is twenty-one miles ; from Richibucto to 
Buctouche is nineteen miles ; and from thence to Cocagne five miles. 
These two last named harbours, like that of Richibucto, afford good and 



14 

safe anchorage to vessels when within the bars. Ships not exceeding six 
hundred tons can take the principal part of their cargo on board in either of 
them, completing it outside the bar, but they require good pilotage. 

From Cocagne to Shediac harbour the distance is seven miles and a half. 
This spacious estuary is situate at the north west angle of the county of 
Westmoreland ; it contains a depth of from eighteen to twenty feet at high 
water ; the tide rises from four to five feet. As this place, in consequence 
of a branch of the European and North American Railway running to it, 
must be the point where a principal part of the Gulf trade will concentrate, 
and is fast rising in the scale of Provincial importance ; the inner harbour 
should be dredged, and other improvements, to meet the demands of its in- 
creasing traffic, immediately effected. 

Aboushagan, and Great and Little Shemogu'e harbours are not of suf- 
ficient depth to admit ships for loading ; schooners, however, frequently 
take in their cargoes at these places. From Shediac to Cape Tormentine 
the distance is thirty miles. About two miles E. S. E. from this Cape 
" there is a shoal, having over its shallowest part a depth of only six feet. 
Its shape resembles a fan ; small vessels pass within it. The outer part, on 
which there is a depth of twenty feet, lies three miles from the Point. 
Within Cape Tormentine is the isthmus and boundary between New Brun- 
swick and Nova Scotia ; the narrowest part of which, from the Bay Verte 
to Cumberland Basin, at the head of Chignecto Bay, is only fifteen miles in 
breadth." — "Sailing- Directions" by Captain H. W. Bayfield, R. N. } 
page 54. 

In the same work (page 55) Bay Yerte is thus described : " The Bay 
Verte is wide at its entrance, and narrow as you advance. The shores are 
lined with fiats, on which the water becomes shallow, but in mid-channel 
the anchorages are good ; here vessels of considerable burthen may take in 
their cargoes of timber. On the north side of the Bay, and near its head, 
is the small river Gaspereaux, on the southern shore of which stands Fort 
Monkton ; and on the southern part of the Bay is another small rivulet, 
called the River Tidnish. They are both shallow for ships to enter." 

Islands. — Herring Island, Caraquette, Tokesuedi, Shippegan. and 
Miscou Islands are all situate in the Bay Chaleur ; the two latter lie at its 
south east entrance, rendering vessels in the harbour of Caraquette safe 
from storms in this direction. 

There are a number of Islands within Miramichi Bay ; the principal aro 
Sheldrake, (the seat of a Lazaretto establishment for those affected with 
leprosy,) Fox, Portage, Egg, and Yin Islands. 

Cocagne and Shediac Islands respectively lie at the entrance to Cocagne 
and Shediac harbours. All these islands, with the exception of Shippegan 
and Miscou, are small patches of upland separated from the main land by a 
distance generally not exceeding two miles. , 

Capks. — Point Miscou, on Miscou Island, formsthe southerly entrance 
to the Bay of Chaleur. 

Point Escwnindc, on which is a light house, lies on the south east side 
of the entrance to Miramichi Bay. 

Cape Tormentine, in the county of Westmoreland, is the most easterly 
point of the Province of New Brunswick : from thence it is nine miles to 
Cape Traverse, in Prince Edward Island. The mails are carried over the 
ice between those Capes during the winter season, which gives them consi- 
derable importance ; and a light house and fog bell on Cape Tormentine 



15 

would be a vast benefit to the passengers and to those engaged in this 
hazardous service, as well as to the navigation of the Straits. 

Cape Bauld is a somewhat prominent point between Cape Tormentine 
and Shediac. 

Rivers. — The Restigouche River , falling into the Bay Chaleur, is twa 
miles in width, with forty feet water at * its mouth. It extends more than 
two hundred miles, south westerly, into the wilderness, through a large 
tract of the finest land, covered with the best timber in the Province, and 
forms part of the boundary between New Brunswick and Canada. The tide 
flows twenty-four miles up this river,, sixteen of which, to Campbeiltown, 
are navigable for vessels of the largest class. At that place it is one mile 
in width. The principal tributaries are the Kedgwic and Upsalquitch, the 
Patapediac forming part of the Province boundary, and the Melapediac, 
being a Canadian river. Many of the smaller branches of the Restigouche 
and the Saint John interlock with each other near their sources. 
• Eel, Charbot. Benjamin, Jacquet and Nigndoc rivers, all empty 
themselves into Chaleur Bay. 

Tetegouche, Middle, Little, and Nepisiquit • rivers have their discharge 
in Bathurst harbour. The last rive?: is nearly one hundred miles in length. 
Bass river is to the eastward of 'Bathurst Bay. 

Caraquet river runs into Caracj'uet Bay, on the south side of the Bay 
Chaleur. 

Pokemouche, Little Tracadie, Tracadie, Tabisintac and Burnt Church 
rivers, all empty themselves into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, between Ship- 
pegan Island and Miramichi. 

Miramichi river is navigable for vessels of the largest class full thirty 
miles from its mouth. This fine river is more than two hundred and twenty 
miles in length ; the tide flows nearly forty miles from the Gulf, and 
schooners can proceed within a short distance of the head of the tide. It is 
divided into two branches., the south west and north west, the former being 
the largest river; both have numerous tributaries, those of the south west 
branch interlocking with streams falling into the Saint John. The Napan, 
Bartibog, Black, Little Black, and Yin rivers, all empty themselves into 
Miramichi Bay. 

The only rivers between the Miramichi and the Richibucto are the Kou- 
chibouguac, Kouchibouguacis falling into Kouchibouguac bay, and the 
Aldouin, which runs into Richibucto harbour. 

The Richibucto river is navigable for large class vessels for upwards of 
ten miles from the Straits of Northumberland, into which it falls ; the chan- 
nel is from twenty-four to thirty-six feet in depth, but the navigation is ob- 
structed by a bar ; the tide flows about twenty-five miles up the river. It 
has numerous tributaries, the principal of which are the St. Nicholas, Bass, 
and Coal branch ; some of the smaller streams almost meet those falling 
into the Grand Lake. 

The Buctouche river is south of Richibucto, and is a fine river ; large 
vessels come over its bar to load, and the tide flows about twelve miles from 
its mouth. Above this point it separates into two branches— the jnorth 
west and south west. 

Little Buctouche river is small, and at its. entrance into the Northum- 
berland Straits forms a junction with its larger namesake. 

Cocagne river is about ten miles southward of Buctouche, and about the 
same distance northward from Shediac ; it possesses similar advantages for 



► 



16 

shipping to those of Buctouche. The tide flows about seven or eight miles 
up this river. 

Two rivers fall into the Shediac harbour, known as the Shediac and 
Sadouk, neither of which are navigable for vessels, although they are 
somewhat extensive. Boats and other small craft penetrate the country 
they traverse for many miles. 

The Aboushagan is a small river, and, like those of Shediac, not navi- 
gable except for boats and fishing craft for a short distance. 

Great and Little Shemogiie rivers are shallow — not navigable even for 
small vessels above the harbours. 

Gaspereau river has its source in Square Lake, about twelve miles from 
its mouth, and empties itself into the north west side of Bay Verte. It is 
navigable for schooners not exceeding one hundred and fifty tons burthen 
for about three miles. 

Tidnish river takes its rise in Nova Scotia, and empties itself into Bay 
Verte, on the east side of the harbour ; it is similar in size and extent to 1 
the Gaspereau. A due east line drawn from the source of the Missiquash 
is supposed to intersect the south east side of Bay Verte, near the mouth of 
the Tidnish river, and to form the boundary between New Brunswick and 
Nova Scotia, but it has never yet been surveyed and established. 

Lakes. — Miramichi, Salmon, and other Lakes, are situate on the head 
waters of the south west branch of the Miramichi River. The Nipisiguit 
Lake, near Bald Mountain, is distant only three miles from the Nictau 
Lake, on the Tobique River. There are a number of small lakes on the 
head waters of that river, lying southerly of the two last named lakes. 

Square Lake, in the eastern part of the county of Westmoreland, is the 
principal source of the Gaspereau River, and is only about a mile square. 

There are numerous small lakes scattered over different parts of thi3 
province, the names of which are only known to lumbermen, and whose 
position and dimensions have been ascertained only as far as they have been 
surveyed by the eye and pace of these pioneers of the forest. 

The harbours of this part of the province are all bar harbours, with the 
exception of the Bay of Chaleur ; but they afford excellent shelter for small 
craft. There are numerous roadsteads, formed by the indentations of the 
coast, where experienced navigators can always find shelter. 

Table of Latitudes and Longitudes of the principal Seaport Towns in New .Brunswick. 

Latitude. Longitude 

City of Saint John, 45° 15' North. 6V 4' West. 

St. Andrew's, 45 11 " 67 " 

Sackville, 45 45 » 65 45 " 

Bay Verte, 46 2 » 64 7 " 

Shediac, 46 15 " 64 35 " 

Richibucto, 46 42 " 64 53 

Chatham, Miramichi, 47 3 " 65 30 " 

Bathurst, 47 37 " 65 42 " 

Dalhousie, 48 4 " 66 25 " 

Fredericton, 45 58 » 66 33 :5 



17 



TIDES. 



Wherever science and maritime commerce have extended their bounds, 
this subject has invariably engaged attention. Investigations have been 
instituted, and maps constructed, exhibiting, in panorama, the tidal pheno- 
mena. 

Few countries on the face of the globe present a more opposing tidal range 
than this and the adjacent Province of Is ova Scotia. On the St Lawrence 
side of both Provinces the tides enter, and recede from, the harbours, when 
not impelled by violent winds, in a comparatively imperceptible manner ; 
rising, in some parts of the Gulf, not more than four feet on an average, 
while in others the ordinary flow is about six feet. 

Captain Bayfield, R. N., states the tides in this Gulf to be as follows : — 
In Restigouche harbour, in the Bay Chaleur, "the tide flows here on fall 
and change until three o'clock, and its vertical rise is six and an half or 
seven feet ;" and at Nipisiguit "the water rises on the inner bar eight feet, 
on the outer bar five feet, and in harbour eight feet, with regular springs ; 
but it is much influenced by the winds which prevail in the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence." At Miramichi, " spring tides rise five arid six feet ;" at Tata- 
magouche, (Nova Scotia,) five feet; and in the harbour of Merigomish, 
about seven miles E. S. E. of Pictou, the rise is about eight feet. The tide 
runs through the Gut of Canso at from four to five miles an hour. At all 
these and other places in the Gulf, the winds exercise great influence over 
the tides. In direct contrast both with the moderate elevation and rapidity 
of these tides will be found those of the Bay of Fundy, although the two are 
separated by a narrow neck of land not more than fifteen miles in extent, 
between Bay Verte and the head of the former Bay. Indeed, if the 
Aboideaux built across the streams at the head of these bays were removed, 
their tidal waters would be separated by an undulating ridge not more than 
three miles and a half in breadth. Captain Crawley, C. E., after examin- 
ing the isthmus with a view to the formation of a canal, recommended the 
digging a ditch, by which the two bays might exchange waters, which would, 
in his opinion, wear sufficiently deep to admit the passage of small vessels. 
This suggestion receives confirmation from the flatness of the intermediate 
distance, and the difference of two hours existing between the respective 
times of high water in these bays, the action of whose tides are so extremely 
opposite. 

The general character of the tides of this Bay is thus emphatically des- 
cribed in the Report of J. D. Andrew's, Esq., (page 539) : — "The tides 
of the Bay of Fundy have always attracted much attention, on account of 
the great ebb and flow, and the manner in which the tide enters the nar- 
row bays and runs up the rivers, both in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. 
It is obvious to the hydrographer, that the great tidal wave enters the Bay 
of Fundy at its wide tunnel like mouth, and is kept from spreading by its 
rocky walls, and is forced into a narrow compass as in a tunnel's neck. 
Here the impetuous waters, compressed into a narrow space, rise with fear- 
ful rapidity, rushing up in what is called a bore, sometimes four or six feet 
in height at the heads of bays, and up the river channels. On the Petit- 
codiac, at the bend of the river, this bore is seen to the greatest advantage. 
The tides, ise at the highest to about sixty feet at the head of the bay, 
while the rise is not more than thirty feet at the mouth of the bay." 

The tide in this Bay, also, varies much from the effects of winds and stormi ; 
5 



18 

at St. John the flood tide some timea rises no more than twenty feet while 
at others it reaches twenty-six feet and upwards. The subjoined table is 
extracted from Dr. Gesner's work, on the Industrial resources of Nova 
Scotia, (page 28,) which he prefaces thus : — " The following table of the 
height of the tides at different places on the Bay of Fundy, has been derived 
from correct sources : 



Annapolis, 


30 feet. 


Apple river, 


30 " 


Basin of Minas, 


60 " 


Chignecto Bay, 


60 " 


Cape D'or, 


50 " 


Cape Split, 


55 " 


Cape Blowmedon, 


60 " 


Head of Cumberland Bay, 


71 " 


Parrsboro', Partridge Island, 


55 " 


Shubenacadie River, 


75 " 


Truro, 


72 " 


Windsor, 


60 " " 



It is true that these Provinces have been much misrepresented in their 
Geography, Climate and resources, yet in no respect more so than in the 
statements published of the tidal phenomena of the Bay of Fundy. In a 
report published by order of the Fredericton Athenaeum in 1852, the 
exaggerated descriptions of these tides are noticed, and referred to by the 
writers of that work as " instances of the erroneous position which the 
character of the Bay of Fundy is permitted to retain in sources of scienti- 
fic reference, in which at least a general accuracy is expected." A part 
of this Report runs thus: " In fact, the want of some official and exact 
statement as to the character of the Bay, has done this country much harm 
elsewhere. Sir J. Hershel, in his recent outlines of Astronomy, and Dr. 
Traill, in the seventh edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, speak of spring 
tides at Annapolis, in the Bay of Fundy, ' of the surprising height of one 
hundred and twenty feet.' Mr. Hugh Murray, in the Encyclopedia of 
Geography, speaks of the Annapolis tides as forty-five or fifty feet ; but in 
Mr. Brande's recent Dictionary of Science, &c, they are said to be one 
hundred feet in their range ! "In the Bay of Fundy," (according to Mr. 
Hughes, Headmaster, Royal Naval School, Greenwich- Hospital), "there 
are extraordinary high tides ; a vast wave is seen for thirty miles off. ap- 
proaching with a prodigious noise, sometimes rising in the Bay to the height 
of one hundred and even one hundred and Uoenty feet ! on some occasi- 
ons, the rapidity of the waters is so great as to overtake the animals feed- 
ing on the shores". — {Outlines of Physical Geography , 1849, page 
60.) 

The above may be taken as specimens of the mistatcnients current in 
Britain respecting the tides of the Bay of Fundy ; which after all differ little 
either in height or impetuosity, from those of the Bristol Channel in Eng- 
land, where the same relative position, and natural causes are known to 
operate. 



19 

LIGHT HOUSES: 

Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick Coast. 

In passing through Chignecto Bay, and before entering the Bay of Fun- 
dy proper, the first light visible is Cape Enrage Light, which stands on 
a point of that name, in Albert County. The house is painted white, and 
presents a plain white light ; it stands one hundred and twenty feet above 
the tide mark. 

Quaco Light, stands on a rock off Quaco Head, nearly midway between 
Cape Enrage Light and St. John Harbour ; the Light House is painted 
white and red in horizontal stripes. The light shows twice full and twice 
dark in a minute. 

Partridge Island Light is at the entrance of the river and harbour of 
Saint John ; it presents a fixed white light, and the light house is painted 
red and white, in vertical stripes. 

Beacon Light. This tower stands within Partridge Islands, on a bar 
which extends into the harbor about half a mile S.S.E. off Sand Point, 
and which dries at two thirds ebb. It is a fixed white light, and the house 
is painted white and black, in vertical stripes. 

Point Lepreau Light, stands about half way between Saint John har- 
bor and Passamaquoddy Bay ; on this point is placed a horizontally painted 
red and white Light House, with two fixed white lights, one twenty-eight 
feet perpendicularly above the other. 

Head Harbour Light, is a fixed white light, with a cross on it; it 
stands on the north east extremity of Campo Bello Island, and is a guide to 
vessels entering the inner Passamaquoddy Bay. 

St. Andrews Light stands a short distance south of the town of that 
name, and affords directions for vessels entering the inner harbor. 

Gannet Rock and Machias Seal Island Lights (both American Lights) 
are situate, respectively, south and south west of Grand Manan Island, and 
give warning to Mariners in their approach to this island, and to a very dan- 
gerous range of shoals and ledges which extends to the southward of it. 
"The first is a flash light, dark 20 seconds, and light 40 in every minute. 
The latter are two white lights, distant 200 feet from each other, and are 
therefore easily distinguishable. 

The following synopses is extracted from the Act Chap. 20 of the Re- 
vised Statutes, (1854), as relative to the Light Houses of this province in 
the Bay of Fundy. 

1. All registered vessels above 100 tons are required to pay three pence 
per ton as light duties, payment not to extend to more than six times in any 
one year. 

Vessels from 75 to 100 tons to pay 35s. per annum. 
" " 50 to 75 " " 30s. " " 
" " 35 to 50 " " 25s. " " 
and under 35 " " 12s. " " 

These payments to be exacted no matter how many ports they may enter 
in the Bay of Fundy, or how often — no other payments to be required. — 
All paymen ts to be made to Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer of the first Port 
entered. 
f^JL Payments to extend to 1st January. 

8. Ligiit houses are to be regulated b^ Commissioner!. 



20 

4. All monies thus collected to be paid out for the support of light 
houses in the Bay of Fundy. 

The Nova Scotia light houses opposite the New Brunswick coast, are : 
Briar Island Light, and Digby Gut light ; the former is a plain 
white light, standing on an island of that name, situate south-westerly of 
Long Island, and on the westerly entrance to St. Mary's Bay ; the latter 
is a white light, placed on Point Prim, on the west side of Digby Gut, lying 
to the north eastward of Briar Island, and nearly opposite the harbor of 
Saint John. 

Light Houses on the Northumberland Straits, and on the St. Lawrence 
coasts of New Brunswick. 

The only light from Pictou Light, on the coast of Nova Scotia, to the 
river St. Lawrence, (except Point Prim Light, on the easterly entrance 
to Hillsborough Bay, on Prince Edward Island.) is Cape Escumenac 
Light, which stands on the cape of that name. This light is found of vast 
importance in navigating this part of the Gulf. It is a fixed light, shewn 
from a white wooden building, at seventy feet above the sea, and can be 
seen for fourteen miles. The rates imposed in respect of these lights 
in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are : on vessels under 35 tons, 63. ; 35 to 50 
tons, 12s. 6d. ; 50 to 75 tons, 15s. ; and' all over 75 tons, 17s. 6d. Coast- 
ing and fishing vessels from ports beyond the Gulf, to pay in addition one 
penny per ton per annum, unless they make other voyages beyond the Gulf 
within the year, and in no case more than four times in the year. 

The want of light house accommodation on this coast of New Brunswick 
is much complained of by those interested in its navigation. Among other 
places, a light is most urgently required on the south-easterly entrance of 
the Bay Chaleur ; and another, with a bell tower, should be erected at Cape 
Tormentine. In consequence of the shoals extending off this Cape, much 
delay and damage is caused to shipping passing up and down the Straits ; 
and, as the mails are, and must continue to be, conveyed to and from Prince 
Edward Island in this direction, during the winter season, a bell tower on 
this Cape, and another on Cape Traverse, would save both mail carriers and 
passengers much of that suffering and delay so frequently caused by in- 
stantaneous and violent snow storms during the passage. The reader may 
imagine a mail boat, endeavoring to work her way a toss the Straits through 
broken ice, carried by the tide, setting, as it always does, across her intended 
course, often dragged over fields of ice in motion, and again launched on water 
mixed with snow or ice ; and he will easily believe her situation to be by 
no means enviable, especially during those violent snow storms, accompanied 
with wind, which so frequently arise. Although the distance is but nine 
miles, yet, as no alarm can be given or sound produced to denote her posi- 
tion on either side, the danger is too apparent to need further argument. 
Hitherto, indeed, in consequence of the weather wisdom of the mail car- 
riers, much of the inconvenience that might thus arise led ; but 
surely every step should be taken, on the part of the lower Provinces, to 
render this branch of the public service as safe and expeditious as possible. 
Whether this improvement be adopted or not, there is no . renting 
the Straits, Who does not feel how much a light house on Cape Tormentine 
would benefit the navigation, and this would probably have prevented many 
of the recent disasters. 



DISTANCES. 



21 





• 


Mil©*. 


Saint John to Fredericton, west side of the river, 


65 


a 


east side, 


86 


n 


" by steamboat, 


80 


a 


St. Andrews, 


65 


it 


Eastport, by steamboat, 


60 


U 


Portland, u 


230 


Eastport 


to Boston, " 


386 


Saint John to by land and water, 


396 


it. 


Washington, ■ " " 


884 


a 


Annapolis, by steamboat, 


45 


tt 


Amherst, " 


105 


tt 


" by land, 


138 


it 


Truro, " 


200 


tt 


by water, 


175 


tt 


Halifax, " 


310 


a 


" by land, 


260 


a 


mixed line, via Annapolis, 


173 


it 


Bend, by land, 


94 


tt 


" by steamboat, 


120 


ti 


Martin's Head, by land, 


48 


ti 


Shepody, 


79 


tt 


Sackville, 


127 


it 


Shediac, • 


109 


Shediac to Richibucto, 


34 


u 


" by water, 


38 


n 


Chatham (Miramichi) by land, 


74 


tt 


" by water, 


80 


ft 


Bathurst (Bay Chaleur) hj land, 


122 


a 


% Dalhousie, " 


175 


n 


11 by water, 


220 


tt 


Bcdeque, P. E. Island, by steamboat, 


40 


a 


Charlottetown, " ll 


75 


tt 


Cape Ray, Newfoundland, 


300 


Bay Verte to Charlottetown, by packet, 


51 


Cape Tormentine to Cape Traverse, 


9 


Halifax tc 


> Boston, by steam packet, 


428 


a 


Portland, 


380 


n 


Eastport or St. Andrews, 


280 


it 


Cape Canso, 


150 


it 


Charlottetown, 


285 


it 


Pietou, 


260 


ti 


Bay Verte, 


325 


it 


Shediac, 


340 


tt 


Pietou, by land, 


104 


Fredericton to Woodstock, 


62 


u 


Grand Falls, 


135 


ti 


Quebec, 


' 357 


tc 


Chatham (Miramichi), 


109 


c( 


St. Andrews, via Harvey Settlement 3 


70 



22 

CIVIL DIVISIONS OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 

This Province is Divided into counties and townships or parishes ; the 
townships being sub-divisions of counties. Each county elects its represen- 
tatives to the House of Assembly ; has a shiretown, where the county bu- 
siness is done; a sheriff: a Bench of Magistrates, one Session, at least, 
of the Supreme Court, in every year ; two Sessions of the Inferior Court, 
at which quarter sessions of the Peace are also held, when the county taxes 
are levied, and county officers appointed ; also, a Probate Court and .Regis- 
ter Office. The Parishes or Townships annually elect the greater part of 
their local or parish officers. 

A list of the counties, with their sub-divisions into parishes, will be found 
in the following pages : 

POLITICAL DEPARTMENT. 

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, who receives his appointment from 
the Crown, is the chief executive officer, and the Representative of the Mon- 
arch in the Province. In his absence, or during any vacancy by death or 
otherwise, his functions are exercised by an officer called the Administrator of 
the Government. He has the power of proroguing or dissolving the House of 
Assembly at his discretion. 

Governors , and Administrators of the Government of New Brimswick, 

since 1784. 

1784 Thomas Carleton, Esq., 

1786 Gabriel G. Ludbw, Esq., 

1803 Edmond Winslow, Esq.. 

1808 Major General Martin Hunter, 

1808 Lieut.-Col. George Johnstone, 

1809 Major General William Balfour, 

1811 " " Martin Hunter, 

1812 " " George Stracey Smyth, 

1813 " " Sir Thomas Saumarey, 

1814 " " George Stracey Smyth, 

1816 Lieutenant Colonel Harris W. Hailes, 

1817 Major General George Stracey Smyth, 

1823 Ward Chipman, Esq., 

1824 John Murray Bliss, Esq., 

1824 Major General Sir Howard Douglas, Bart., 

1829 William Black, Esq., 

1831 Major General Archibald Campbell, Bart., G.C.B.. 

1837 " ' : Sir John Harvey, 

1841 Sir William Macbean George Colebrooke, 

1848 Sir Edmund Walker Head, Bart, 

1852 Colonel F. Murray, 

1852 Sir Edmund Walker Head, Bart, 

1854 The Honorable John Henry Thomas Manners Sutton. 

The Executive ( Council. This body consists of nine members, appointed 
by the Crown, but whose o< toe in office, like that of the ministry in 

England, depends on the wishes of the people) a» wpreeied by their repre- 



23 



sentatives. They are the advisers of His Excellency, in the administration 
of the affairs of the Province, and they consist in part of the Heads of the 
principal Departments. The Governor in Council has the power of making 
all the Provincial appointments, and he nominates, provisionally, and subject 
to the approbation of Her Majesty, the members, both of the Executive 
and Legislative Councils. 

The Legislative Council consists of twenty-one members, whose ap- 
pointments proceed from the Crown ; their Duties and functions correspond 
in a great measure with those of the English House of Lords, forming the 
upper branch of the Legislature, whose assent is necessary to all acts of 
the Assembly ; and they may originate any measures except money bills, 
in which they have merely the power of a vote. 

The House of Assembly being emphatically the Commons of New 
Brunswick, are elected quadrenially, by the Freeholders of the County, 
pursuant to writs issued by the Governor, allowing to each county the quota 
mentioned in the following table : — 



Names of Counties. 


Names of Parishes. 


Population (1851) 

and number of 

Representatives 

in 1854. 


Area in acres, 
(exclusive of wa- 
ter.) 




City of Fredericton. 








Douglas. 


17,628 






Dumfries. 








Kingsclear. 






York. 


New Maryland. 




2,201,600 




Prince William. 


Four. 






Queensbury. 






i 


St. Mary's. 








Southampton. 






I 


Stanley. 








Burton (Orimocto.) 








Blissville. 


5,301 




Sunbury. 


Lincoln. 




782,080 




Maugerville. 


Two. 






Sheffield. 








Gagetown. 








Brunswick. 








Canning. 


10,639 






Chipman. 






Queens. 


Hampstead. 








Johnston. 




961,280 




Petersville. 


Two. 






Waterborough. 








"Wickham. 








Cambridge. 








Kingston. 

Greenwich. 

Hampton. 








Norton. 


18,842 


849,920 


Kings. 


Springfield. 
Studholme. 








Sussex. 


Three. 






Uphham. 








Westfield. 







24 



Names of Counties. 


Names of Parishes. 


Population (1851) 

and number of 

Representatives 

in 1854. 


Area in acres, 
(exclusive of wa- 
ter.) 




St. Andrews. 








Campo Bello. 








Grand Manan. 








Pennfield. 


19,938 




Charlotte. 


St. David. 








St. George. 




783,360 




St. James. 








St. Patrick. 


Four. 






St. Stephen. 
West Isles. 














Saint John. 






Saint John, City and 


Portland. 

Lancaster. 


38,475 


414,720 


County. 


St. Martin's. 
Simonds. 


Six. 






Dorchester. 








Sackville. 








Yv r estmoreland. 


17,814 




Westmoreland. 


Botsford. 
Shediac. 




878,440 




Monkton. 


Four. 






Salisbury. 








Hopewell. 








Hillsborough. 


6,313 




Albert. 


Harvey. 
Elgin. 




433,560 




Cover dale. 


Two. 






Richibucto . 








Wellington. 








Wildfbrd. 


11,410 




Kent. 


Harcourt. 
Dundas. 




1,026,400 




Carleton. 


Two. 






Huskisson. 








Dalhousie. 








Addington. 


4,161 




Restigouche. 


Colborne. 




1,426,560 




Durham. 


Two. 






Eldon. 








Newcastle. 








Chatham. 








Alnwick. 








Blackville. 






Northumberland. 


Blissfield. 


15,064 






Glenelg. 




2,280,000 




Ludlow. 








Nelson. 


Four. 






ilardwicke. 








Northesk. 








Bat hurst. 








Beresford. 






Gloucester. 


Oaraquet. 


11,704 






New Bandon. 




1,037,440 




Saumares. 








Shippegat. 


Two. 





25 



Names of Counties. 



Names of Parishes. 



Population (1851) 

and number of 

Representatives 

in 1854. 



Area in acres, 
(exclusive of wa- 
ter.) 



Carleton. 



Woodstock. 

Wicklow. 

Wakefield. 

Simonds. 

Northampton. 

Kent. 

Richmond. 

Brighton. 



11,108 



Two. 



700,000 





Grand Falls. 








Madawaska. 








Perth. 


5,408 




Victoria. 


St. Basil. 
St. Francis. 




2,872,000 




St. Leonard. 


Two. 






Andover. 






Totals— 14. 


104 Parishes. 


193,800 inhabit 'ts. 
41 Representatives. 


17,677,360 



N. B. The parishes printed in italics are the shiretowns of the respec- 
tive counties. 

Thus the Lieutenant Governor, Legislative Council, and House of As- 
sembly, form the Legislature of the Province, which is a miniature repre- 
sentation of the British Parliament. 

The Heads of the principal Departments consist of the Attorney Gen- 
eral, Solicitor General, Provincial Secretary, Surveyor General, Receiver 
General, and Auditor General. The four first named officers have, on re- 
ceiving their respective provisional appointments, to return to their Consti- 
tuents for re-election, as it is considered necessary under the responsible 
system of government that they should be Members of the House of As- 
sembly. 

The Duties of the Attorney General are thus defined in the Appendix 
to the Journals of the House of Assembly for 1853 — page ccxxi. 

" 1st. As a member of the Executive Government, he has to attend, and 
give his close attention to all the Executive business of the Country, to re- 
port upon almost every special case^ coming before the Council. 

1 ' 2nd. To give legal advice and opinions upon all matters involving ques- 
tions of law coming before tta Government, some of which take days to 
look into and draw up. In 1™2 he reported and gave opinions upon nine- 
ty cases. 

" 3rd. To examine and report upon the Bye-Laws of the Corporation 
of Saint John, from time to time made ; and also of the other municipalities 
and corporations in the Province ; also upon the Boards of health ; upon all 
the fish regulations for the fish wardens. 

"4th« Upon all matters and duties imposed upon the Executive Gov- 
ernment by Act of Assembly, on which any question arises on the consti- 
struction of the Act. 

"5th. To examine and report upon every Grant, Lease and License 
issued from the Surveyor General's office. 

" 6th. To examine and report on every Act of Assembly passing the 
Legislature before the same can be sent to the Colonial Office. 
6 



26 

" 7th. To conduct the criminal business at the Courts of Oyer and Ter- 
miner in the following counties, viz : St. John, two circuits in the year ; 
Westmoreland, one circuit ; Northumberland, one circuit : and Charlotte, 
two circuits in the year ; making six circuit courts at which he has to con- 
duct the criminal business of the Province. 

"8th. As a resident member olthe Board of education, he has to de- 
vote much time thereto ; and to give opinions upon all matters involving 
legal questions as to the construction of the laws. 

" 9th. As leader of the Government in the Lower House, the preparing 
and maturing all Government measures brought before the Legislature de- 
volves upon him, 

" 10th. To afford information to the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer 
upon all matters involving the construction of the revenue acts. 

" 11th. Although not bound, ex-officio, to do so, he is constantly called 
upon by Magistrates and other public functionaries, to give advice, as At- 
torney General, upon all matters connected with the discharge of their pub- 
lic duties, and especially w r here the construction of the Acts of Assembly 
are involved, and is in the constant habit of doing so gratuitously. 

" 12th. He finds his own office, fuel, and other contingent expenses, 
and pays his own travelling charges when attending to the criminal duty 
imposed upon him. * * * * . * 

" 13th. He is always obliged to be at his post, and cannot leave Head 
Quarters, or be absent, except on public business, without leave. j; 

For these duties he receives, exclusive of some perquisites of office, 
which do little more than pay the expenses of a Clerk, the sum of £600 per 
annum. 

In this Province the Attorney General is generally considered as the 
leader of the Gqvernment in the House of Assembly, but this is not the 
case, necessarily in all the Colonies : for instance in Canada, Mr. Hincks, 
who lately filled the office of Inspector General of Public Accounts, some- 
what like that of Chancellor of the Exchequer in England, was the Leader. 
The following may be taken as a sketch of the Duties of the Provincial 
Secretary : — 

He has to advise the Governor as one of his Cabinet, and to be present at 
all Meetings of the Executive Council — to prepare and countersign all 
proclamations and other documents emanating from the Executive to affix 
the Great Seal to all Letters Patent, ancftther documents when required, to 
countersign and regjrter all grants of land from the Crown, to carry on the 
correspondence between the Executive, and^he Magistrates, Boards of 
Health, Light House Commissioners, and otner local authorities not con- 
nected with the revenue; and complaints against any of these officials are 
usually addressed to him. In fact, he may be termed the organ of the 
Executive Government, and almost considered as exercising a sort of su- 
pervision over other Departments, as well as over the roads, bridges, light 
houses and other public works of the Province. During the sitting of the 
Legislature, he has, in conjunction with the Attorney General, and such 
other members of the Executive Council as may have seats in the House 
of Assembly, not only to assist in preparing the Government measures, but 
also to take an actvie part in the discussion, as well as in opposition to those 
which it may he deemed expedient to oppose, lie is also, ex officio, and as 
a member of the Executive, one of the Council of Kings College, and one 
of the Trustees of the .Madras School. There is, therefore, hardly any 



27 

department of the Government in the management or control of which he 
has not some share ; and he cannot be absent from Head Quarters without 
the special leave of the Governor. 

The Solicitor General is one of the Law Advisers of the Crown, and has 
to give his opinion to the Governor on all legal subjects, when required ; he 
also assists the Attorney General in all criminal prosecutions, and in other 
Crown business^ when his aid is necessary. 

The Surveyor General is the head of the Crown Land Department, and 
has to receive and answer all applications for land, to issue orders for sur- 
veys, to direct sales of Crown Lands or leases of minerals, and to send in- 
structions for the grants to the Secretary. He also superintends and issues 
timber licences, and, through his Deputy Surveyors, takes care that their 
conditions are duly complied with ; he appoints the Deputy Crown Survey- 
ors, and keeps in his office plans of the several counties, on which the grants 
of land, from time to time, are registered ; any survey ordered by the 
House of Assembly, or by the Executive Government is made through 
him. 

The Receiver General 1 s Duty is to receive all the monies paid in, under 
the head of Casual Revenue, on tickets from the Crown Land office and 
through the Deputy Surveyors ; as also all fines in Courts of Law, and 
Fees of the Secretary's office ; and he pays all warrants on the Casual Re- 
venue Fund. He has also charge of the surplus fund arising from the Civil 
List which he pays quarterly, he has also to receive and see to the applica- 
tion of the proceeds of the timber cut on the disputed territory. 

The Auditor General has merely to examine and audit the whole of the 
accounts of the Province. 

Provincial Treasurer's Department. 

The head of this Department resides in the city of Saint John, and su- 
perintends and directs through his Deputy Treasurers, who are scattered 
throughout the Province, the collection of the revenues, he receives all 
monies so collected ; and all warrants for payment are drawn on him. 

With regard to the operations of the Departmental system in a young 
colony like New Brunswick, it may sometimes happen that some of the 
officers, especially the Surveyor General, may not be practically acquainted 
with the duties of his office and may have to perform some of them, for 
instance, that of examining candidates for appointments, and even the 
indoor duties of the office, by proxy. There is less difficulty, perhaps, in 
procuring competent persons to fill the principal part of the other offices, 
constituting the heads of Departments, especially where members of the 
legal profession are necessary, as there is generally in the Province a lar- 
ger proportion of that body aspirants for office. 

The following composed the Executive Department of New Brunswick, in 1855 : 

The Honorable John Henry Thomas Manners Sutton, Lieutenant 
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New Brunswick } 
<&c, &c Salary about .£3,500 per annum. 



28 



COUNCIL. 



Residence. 
Fredericton, 
Saint John, 
St. Davids, 
Chatham, 
St. John, 
Dorchester, 



Hon. Charles Fisher, Attorney General, 

' ' Samuel L. Tilly, Provincial Secretary, 

11 James Brown, Surveyor General, 

" John M. Johnston, Solicitor General, 

" William J. Ritchie, 

" Albert J. Smith, 

" William H. Steves, 

The average aggregate cost of supporting these establishments, exclusive 
of the salaries of heads of Departments, is £3,000 currency per annum. 

There are numerous perquisites of office belonging to each of the De- 
partments. 

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 



Salary. 
£600, Curcy. 
£600, " 
£600, " 
£230 15 4. 

/ Travelling char- 
} ges and other 



Albert County \ expenses onlj 



Hon. William Black, President, 
Honorables John S. Saunders, 
" Amos E. Botsford, 
" Edward B. Chandler, 

" John Robertson, 

" Harris Hatch, 
" William B. Kinnear, 
" W. F. W. Owen, 
" George Menichin, 

" Thomas W. Peters, 
" Robert L. Hazen, 
" George H. Hill, 

James Davidson, 
" William H. Odell, 
" William H. Steves, 
" David Wark, 

" John M. Ryan, 

" William Hamilton, 



Residence. 

Fredericton. 

Fredericton, 

Sackville, 

Dorchester, 

Saint John, 

Saint Andrews, 

Saint John, 

Saint John, 

Fredericton, 

Chatham, 

Saint John 

Saint Stephens 

Miramichi 

Fredericton 

Albert County 

Riehibucto, 

King's County 

Restigouche County. 



The fees of each member of the Legislative Council are £1 currency 
per day during the Session. 

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. (Elected, July, 1854.) 
Hon. Daniel Hannington, Speaker. 



York 



Esqrs. 



County of 
Hon. Charles Fisher 
( Iharles Macpherson 
.lames Taylor 
(Jcorge J. Ilatheway 

City of Saint John : 
Hon. Samuel Tilley 
James A. Harding, Esq. 

( 'aunty of Saint John : 
Hon. William J. Kitehie 
John R. Partelow ) 
Robert D. Wilmot > Esqrs. 
John H. Gray. ) 



County of Westmorland 
Hon. Daniel Hannington 

" Albert J. Smith 
Amand Landry ( -p 
James Steadman ) * ' 

County of Charlotte : 
Hon. James Brown 
Arthur 11. Gilmorc 
John INI. Adam 
James Boyd 

County of Kings : 

Matthew WcLecxl ) 
George Ryan 
Henry W. Purdy 



Esqrs. 



Esqrs. 



29 



Esqrs. 



Carleton County : 
Charles Connell ) -,-, 
Richard English \ ^ rS - 

County of Kent : 
Robert B. Cuttler ) -,-, 
Francis McPheleim \ ^ TS ' 

Restigouche County : 
John Montgomery \ -n 
Chipman Botsford \^ sc i Y3 ' 

Gloucester Comity : 
William End ; „ 

Patrick McNaughton ^ /^sqrs. 

Albert County: 
Edward Stevens ) v 

Abner R. McClelan $ ^ rs ' 



County of Victoria: 
Francis Rice ) -^ 
James Tibbets p S( l rs - 

Queens County: 
Samuel H. Gilbert ) -& 
JohnFarris \ Es ^ 

Sunbury County : 
George Hayward ; E 
Enoch Lunt ) H 

Northumberland County : 
Hon. John M. Johnston 

" John Ambrose Street 
George Kerr 
Richard Sutton 

The Speaker of the House of Assembly receives .£150 for the session, 
and the other members one pound per day, during the same term. It 
costs the Province £10,000 per annum for legislation, and in consequence 
of an increase of remuneration, voted by the House of Assembly to itself ; 
during the speqal session of 1854, it will in future take nearly £12,000 
to pay for the legislative business of the Province. 

JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS. 

The Court of Chancery. — This Court has recently been abolished by 
an act of the Provincial Legislature, and its equitable jurisdiction is trans- 
ferred to the Supreme Court ; at the same time, the Master of the Rolls 
w r as removed to the Bench of the same Court as an additional Judge. The 
duty of this Court was formerly similar to that of the High Court ef Chan- 
cery in England, to adjudicate matters which cannot justly be decided by 
the rules of Common Law, such as trusts, the specific performance of agree- 
ments, &c. All causes heretofore cognizable by this Court are now trans- 
ferred to the "Equity side of the Supreme Court." 

The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice, and four assistant 
or puisne Judges., The jurisdiction of this Court extends to all criminal 
matters, except such petty offences as the magistrates may send to the Ses- 
sions, and to civil suits, in which the amount exceeds five pounds or affects 
the title to land. Appeals lie from the Court of Common Pleas by writ 
of certiorari before trial, and from the Magistrates' Courts, first to one of 
the Judges of this Court, and, if allowed by him, to the full Court. Its 
proceedings are regulated by the English common, law, as altered by Pro- 
vincial statute, and by the rules of court and forms laid down by the 
Judges. It has now also to exercise the functions of a Court of Equity in 
addition to its other powers. The Bench is now filled by the gentlemen fol- 
lowing : 

The Hon. Jame3 Carter, Chief Justice — salary £700. 

Robert Parker, ] f Salary £750. 

" George F. Street, | " 750. 

11 Lemuel A. Wilmot, } Justices. { " 600. 

" Neville Parker, | » 600. 

(late Master of the Rolls,) J [ 



30 

These salaries are in addition to travelling expenses, for which £250 are 
allowed. 

The Court of the Governor and Council, for hearing and determining 
cases relative to marriage and divorce, consists of his Excellency the Lieu- 
tenant Governor, as President, the Master of the Rolls as Vice President, 
the members of the Executive Council, and a Registrar and Clerk. This 
Court hold its sittings in Fredericton, on the second Tuesday in February, 
and the third Tuesdays in June and October. Its jurisdiction extends over 
all matters relating to matrimonial rights, prohibited marriages and divorce. 

Court for the trial and punishment of piracy, and other offences com- 
mitted on the high seas.— The officers of this Court consist of the Lieute- 
nant Governor, the Chief Justice, and the other Judges of the Supreme 
Court, the ^Executive Council, Judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty, 
Commander in Chief, and Flag Officers, and Captains and Commanders of 
ships of war on this station for the time being. It holds its sittings in any 
part of the Province determined by any three of its members ; the Gover- 
nor, Chief Justice, or one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, or Judge 
of the Admiralty, being one. 

The Court of Vice Admiralty is composed of one Judge and Com- 
missary, holding a commission from the Crown ; an Advocate General, 
Registrar and Scribe, and a Marshal. It determines all questions relative 
to maritime matters, such as seaman's wages, bottomry bonds, &c. Prizes 
taken in war are adjudicated on by a Commissioner appointed by the Im- 
perial Government. 

A Probate Court is held for each county, presided over by a Surrogate, 
or Judge of Probate, and with a Registrar. All wills of deceased persons 
are proved in it ; it grants letters of administration to the effects of such 
as die intestate, and has further powers for the settlement of the property 
in both cases. 

The Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, or Inferior Court, arc two distinct Courts, and are held at least 
twice a year at the county town of each county. The Judges of the Common 
Pleas are four or five in number, appointed by the Governor, and their 
jurisdiction extends to the recovery of debts of any amount. The Sessions 
regulate the business of the county, such as the levying rates for its neces- 
sary expenditure, granting tavern licenses, determining cases of bastardy 
and settlement, and they also try petty criminal cases. Eoth Courts are 
held at the same periods. 

Justice's Courts are held in each parish, as occasion may require, for 
the recovery of debts not exceeding five pounds ; an appeal lies from their 
decision to the Supreme Court. The Justices have also power to adjudicate 
on trespass, where the title to land does not come in question, to the amount 
of forty shillings ; and two Justices may try. at the suit of the Crown, per- 
sons committing assault and battery, and, at their discretion, either bind 
them over to appear at the ensuing sittings of the Supreme Court, or pu- 
nish them by fine, to be enforced by imprisonment. They are also empow- 
ered to take cognizance of all breaches of the peace, profane swearing, and 
all violations of ordor and decorum ; also to examine and enquire into all 
felonies, and other criminal acts, and to commit the parties charged to gaol. 
or bind them over to appear, when the evidence may warrant such a course. 
Three Justices can a) so try cases of petty larceny not exceeding forty shil- 
lings in value, 



31 

The Supreme Court, and the Court of Common Pleas, with the General 
Sessions, hold their sittings at the shire towns in the different counties as 
follows : 

Supreme Court. 
York — Third Tuesday in January, and fourth Tuesday in June. 
Saint John — Second Tuesday in May, and first Tuesday in November. 
Sunbury —Last Tuesday in February. 
Gloucester — First Tuesday in September. 
Queen's — First Tuesday in March. 
Charlotte — Fourth Tuesday in April, and the Tuesday after the fourth 

Tuesday in October. 
King's — Second Tuesday in July. 
Albert — Third Tuesday in July. 
Westmoreland — Fourth Tuesday in July. 
Kent— Tuesday after the fourth Tuesday in July. 
Bestigouche — last Tuesday in August. 
Northumberland — Second Tuesday in September. 
Carleton-— last Tuesday in September. 
Victoria —The Wednesday before the la3t Tuesday in September. 

Court of Common Pleas and Sessions.* 

Shir clowns. 

Fredericton— Second Tuesdays in January and June. 

Saint John — Third Tuesday in March, and third Tuesday in October. 

Kingston — First Tuesday in March, and third Tuesday in October. 

Woodstock — First Tuesday in January, and fourth Tuesday in June. 

St. Andrews — Second Tuesday in April, and first Tuesday in June. 

Dorchester — Third Tuesday in June, and second Tuesday in December. 

Bathurst — First Tuesday in January, and first Tuesday in July. 

Gagetown — Fourth Tuesdays in January and June. 

Burton — Second Tuesday in January, and third Tuesday in June. 

Bichibucto — Second Tuesday in January, and fourth Tuesday in June. 

Newcastle — Second Tuesdays in January and June. 

Daihousie— First Tuesday in January, and second Tuesday in July. 

Hopewell — Fourth Tuesday in June, and second Tuesday in November. 

Andover — Second Tuesday in January, and first Tuesday in July. 

The Sheriff is an important officer in every county. His duties are, 
by himself or his deputies, to execute the Queen's writs throughout his coun- 
ty, and therefore to serve all processes issued from either of the Courts ; 
to levy executions and retain the proceeds till the return of the writ ; to 
take care of all debtors and criminals ; to summon juries ; to attend the 
Judges at their Courts ; to call out the whole force of the county when 
necessary to preserve the peace, and to act as the first executive officer 
of the Crown in all cases. The Coroner acts for the Sheriff in case of 
his death, and in case of his being personally interested. He also holds 
an enquiry a3 to all cases of accidental or sudden death. 

*There are additional terms of the Common Pleas for the return of writs, &c, but 
Courts are seldom held on them. 



32 



JUROES. 



There is no one public department which moves so slowly in the march 
of reform as that of our judicial institutions. The laborer is worthy of 
his hire, whether the employment be that of legislators, executors, judges, 
or other public functionaries, and the more responsible the duties, the higher 
should be the remuneration ; but the payment of jurors, the men who ulti- 
mately have to decide almost all disputes, appears to force itself with diffi- 
culty on the notice of our legislators. Among all the imperfections attend- 
ing our courts of law, there appears to be none more glaring than the hard- 
ships imposed on those who have to serve in this capacity. It must be 
within the knowledge of most of our Provincial readers that jurymen fre- 
quently have to travel a distance of forty miles from their homes to the 
shire town, at a season of the year when their time is most valuable, to 
remain for a week or ten days, and to return with the very trifling and al- 
most ridiculous remuneration which the law allows for this service. Nor 
is the case of the suitors themselves, and their witnesses, much better : 
sometimes it happens that, after a long and tedious waiting at the Court 
House, the cause is suspended ; perhaps for want of time to hear it ; 
perhaps from inability to make up the magical number of twelve jurymen, 
whose unanimity is necessary to the validity of a verdict ; or it may be 
from the preconceived opinion, or wrong-headed conclusions, of one of the 
number. Much of this inconvenience, and positive loss to all concerned, 
might be avoided, either by reducing the number of jurors, or by allowing 
the decision of the majority to be a legal verdict. In many cases of at 
least equal importance, this plan is adopted ; in the framing and enactment 
of our laws, for instance, a majority of the legislative bodies, even of one, 
is sufficient to bind the whole Province ; and surely if this is expedient in 
matters which may aifect the well being, the properties, or even the lives of 
all of us, it is equally so in those which relate only to one or two individu- 
als. In the cases submitted to the grand jury, too, complete agreement is 
not required, provided twelve at least concur in their finding ; and thus a 
precedent is afforded for what may be called an innovation. The reduction 
of the number would afford the means of better remuneration, without 
much increasing the expense to the suitor. 

The law3 of our Province, being based on those of Great Britain, which 
have gradually grown up from circumstances, and which, from a national 
reluctance to change, have adopted, till lately, ancient forms to modern re- 
quirements, have shared in the faults of their origin, and are too much 
loaded with verbose technicalities, which add materially to the cost of the 
proceedings ; but in this respect, we must do the Province justice, and ad- 
mit that, within the last year, many of the defects have been remedied ; 
much of the verbage and mystification has been stripped from our legal forms, 
and they have been rendered more intelligible to the uninitiated, more adapt- 
ed to the times, and more consistent with common sense ; but there is yet 
room for improvement ; and, judging from the past, we may look confident- 
ly to the future. 



33 



POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 



Previous to an act of the Imperial Parliament, passed in the twelfth and 
thirteenth years of the reign of Her present Majesty, entitled, u An Act 
for enabling Colonial Legislatures to establish inland posts," the postal ar- 
rangements of this, in common with those of the other British Colonies, 
were under the control of the Imperial Government and managed by the 
Postmaster General in London. By acts of the Province of New Bruns- 
wick, passed in the years 1850 and 1851, the Post Office Department of 
this Province was established, under the direction and management of a 
Provincial Postmaster General, and other authorities ; and all letters trans- 
mitted by Post in British North America, with the exceptions of packet 
letters to and from the United Kingdom, and letters to and from Newfound- 
land and the United States, are made liable to an uniform rate of three 
pence currency for half an ounce for whatever distance conveyed, prepay- 
ment being optional ; the charge increases according to the following scale 
of weights, thus : 

currency. 
On a letter not exceeding J an ounce in weight, 3d. 

" " over \ oz. and not exceeding 1 oz. 6d. 

" " over 1 oz. and not exceeding 1| oz. 9d. 

" " over 1J oz. and not exceeding 2 oz. Is. 

" " over 2 oz. and not exceeding 2 J oz. Is. 3d. 

" " over 2| oz. and not exceeding 3 oz. Is. 6d. 

And so on, adding one rate for every additional half-ounce. 

All "Newspapers, whether published in the United Kingdom, or in 
British North America, or in the British West Indies, or in the United 
States," are not liable to any Provincial rate of Postage; but Newspapers 
to and from the United Kingdom, specially addressed "via New York," or 
" via United States," are liable to the transit rate of one penny each, pay- 
able on delivery only. 

Printed books, pamphlets, or tracts, when under the weight of two 
ounces, are not liable to any Provincial rate of postage : but if weighing 
two ounces, they shall be liable to a rate of four-pence each ; exceeding 
two ounces, and not exceeding three, six pence ; and two-pence for each 
additional ounce, up to six ounces in weight ; and if exceeding six ounces, 
three pence for each additional ounce, up to sixteen ounces ; beyond which 
weight no printed book, pamphlet or tract will be forwarded by Post with- 
in the Province, unless such book, pamphlet or tract be addressed to the 
United Kingdom, or through the United Kingdom to any British Colony. 
Ship Letters— the gratuity to be paid to ship masters for letters brought to 
offices on the sea-board*, is to be one penny half-penny currency, as hereto- 
tofore, and the charge for such letters, when delivered in this Province, is 
three pence currency. 

By packet to and from the United Kingdom : 

" Printed books, magazines, reviews, or pamphlets, whether British, 
Colonial or foreign, may be sent through the Post from this Colony to the 
United Kingdom, or from the United Kingdom to this Colony, or through 
the United Kingdom to or from this Colony and any other British Colony, 
whether the conveyance be by packet or private ship, at the following rates 
of postage : — 

7 



34 

For a single volume, not exceeding ^ lb. weight 7d -| currency 

11 " exceeding \ lb. and not exceeding 1 lb. Is. 3d. " 

" 1 lb. " " 2 lb. 2s. 6d. " 

And so on, adding Is. 3d., currency, for every additional pound or frac- 
tion of a pound. Printed books thus forwarded, will be subject in all res- 
pects to the same conditions and restrictions to which newspapers are liable. 
The postage thereon, according to the above rates, must in all cases be pre- 
paid ; they can only be forwarded by the direct route, via Halifax." 

By virtue of an Act passed in the 16th year of the reign of Her pre- 
sent Majesty, a Proclamation was issued by His Excellency the Lieutenant 
Governor authorizing the reduction of postage to a uniform rate of 
six-pence, sterling, (7Jd. currency,) the half ounce, on letters between the 
United Kingdom and the Colony of New Brunswick. And for Par- 
liamentary proceedings transmitted to and from the said Colony by post, 
via the British contract packets, direct to Halifax, the same rates of pos- 
tage as those fixed for other books transmitted by Post, the said Parliamen- 
tary proceedings are subject to the following conditions, that is to say; 

1st. Every packet must be sent without cover, or in a cover open at 
the sides or ends. 

2nd. It must contain a single volume only, the several sheets or parts 
thereof, where there are more than one, being sewed or bound together. 

3rd. It must not exceed two feet in length, breadth, width, or 
depth. 

4th. It must have no writing or marks upon the cover ; or its contents, 
except the name and address of the person to whom it may be sent. 

5th. The postage must be prepaid in full. 

: ' The above instructions are not to extend to, or interfere with the trans- 
mission of printed votes or proceedings of Parliament, or of printed papers 
allowed to pass by the post under the newspaper privilege, all of which will 
contain subject to the existing Regulations." New Brunswick Royal 
Gazette of July 26th, 1854. United Stales— Letters addressed from New 
Brunswick to the United States, except California and Oregon, are rated 
six-pence currency, or ten cents per half ounce ; prepayment optional. — 
Letters addressed from New Brunswick to California or Oregon, nine-pence, 
or fifteen cents per half ounce. Newspapers and pamphlets addressed to 
the United States from New Brunswick will be free of charge to the Pro- 
vince Line, and, vice versa, from the line. 

Newfoundland, &c. — Letters from New Brunswick addressed to New- 
foundland ; a single letter, weighing not more than half an ounce, packet 
Postage 4£i 

Inland postage, 3d. 

Increasing one rate for each additional half ounce, or fraction of half an 
ounce ; prepayment optional. 

Letters addressed to Bermuda, or the West Indies, the same, only the 
inland rate must be paid in advance. 

The detailed accounts and returns made by the Postmaster General to 
tho Provincial Legislature in the year 1852, shew the improved state of 
this department since the transfer before mentioned. Although there lias 
been a falling off in the receipts in consequence of the abolition of News- 
paper postage, which was ascertained to amount to about XTTO : the lai 
amount of packet postage, which has to be remitted to England ; the addi- 
tional cxpences connected with the whole establishment in the Province ; 



35 

the dmiinuition in the revenue, consequent on the reduction of letter post- 
age : and on the fact, that previous to the transfer, the stationary, printed 
forms, &c, which formed a very large item, were supplied from England, 
but which are now procured here ; yet the general results have been satis- 
factory. The following is an extract from the Report: — " I have much 
pleasure in directing attention to the satisfactory progress which the revenue 
has made since the transfer, and is still making, as shewn in the return 
No. 3," (referring to the detailed account appended to the Report,) " and 
which appears to be at the rate of nearly sixteen per cent. This, if con- 
tinued, will, in the course of little more than a year, bring the revenue up 
to the amount at which it stood previous to the transfer." 
The number of Post Offices in the Province in 1852 was 30 In 1853 — 

" Way Offices, 105 137 

Total length of mail routes in miles, 2,160 2,316 

Number of miles travelled per annum, 474,471 

Being an increase of 27 per cent, over the number for the preceding 
year, and causing an increased expense of £1,363. Revenue increased 27 
per cent, in 1853, over the preceding year. 

SURVEYOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 

This Department consists of a Surveyor General, four indoor officers, 
and a staff of upwards of fifty Deputy Surveyors, who are dispersed 
throughout the Province. 

The Crown Lands within the county of York are sold at the office by 
the head of the Department, and in each of the other counties, one or 
more Deputies are appointed for the same purpose ; so that applicants for 
land can obtain grants with dispatch, at any time, and in any part of the 
Province where there are ungranted lands. 

Lots of land, not exceeding one hundred acres, can be obtained at three 
shillings currency per acre, payable in labor on the roads in the vicinity of 
the land applied for. This arrangement, though liable to some abuses, has 
facilitated the settlement of the Province ; affording emigrants and others 
an opportunity to locate themselves on a tract of good land, without paying 
one fraction of money for their purchase. 

With the exception of this mode of sale, all lands are disposed of for 
actual settlement, at auction ; the upset price, if paid down, is two shil- 
lings sterling, or 2s. 5d. currency, per acre — £12 Is. 8d, currency for 100 
acres. If payments are made by instalments, which is optional with the 
purchaser, the upset price is 3s. currency per acre. 

The flourishing state of this Department will be better seen from a re- 
view of the following Report, furnished to the Legislature in the last ses- 
sion by the head of the Department : 

" Crown Land Office, Fredericton, February, 1854. 
May it please your Excellency : 

I have the honor of submitting to your Excellency detailed accounts of 
the transactions connected with the Crown Land Department, for the year 
ending on the 31st December, 1853. 

These accounts consist of the following classes : — 

1st. Receipts for timber and lumber. 

2nd. Receipts for land sold. 

3rd. Receipts for contingencies. 



36 

4th. A return of the amount of labor performed upon roads and bridges, 
in payment for land, under the provisions of the Act 12 Victoria, Cap. 4, 
generally known as the Labor Act, and that of the Act 12 Victoria, Cap. 
19, known as the Commutation Act. 

These several returns are so prepared, as to exhibit a full and compre- 
hensive statement of all the detailed information relating to each class ; yet 
as that information is necessarily spread over a large surface, I herewith 
submit a condensed report of the returns of each class, together with such 
explanatory remarks as may bear upon them. 

First — Timber and Lumber. 

No. 

Licenses prepared during the year (from 1st May), 1,340 

Square miles under license, 4,887 

Square miles sold at and under 50s. per mile, with option of 

renewal without sale, 962£ 

Square miles sold below 50s. per mile, and subject to resale. 3,924| 

Amount received for licenses since 1st May, £7,803 14s. 
Average rate per square mile, 31s. lid. 9-8. 

These numbers comprise only the licences issued, &c, for the year com- 
mencing 1st May, 1853, and ending 1st May, 1854 ; but the inclusion of 
all licenses issued within the year 1853 would not materially alter the sum 
total. 

Total amount received for timber and lumber, from all sources, in the 
year 1853— £8,668 0s. ]0d. 

No material change has been made, since the passing of the export duty 
law, until last year, in the regulations establishing the rate of mileage, not- 
withstanding that the trade of the Province had in that time greatly changed 
its character ; and finding that the staple commodity of New Brunswick 
was in great demand, and realizing high prices, the Government deemed it 
their duty to secure to the public some participation in the increasing pro- 
fits of the lumber trade. The upset rate of mileage was therefore advan- 
ced from ten shillings to twenty shillings per square mile ; thus realizing 
for the Province a considerable increase on the sale of timber berths, with- 
out causing any additional expenditure. 

Great complaints having been made by those engaged in the lumber 
trade, that the practice of annually putting up all the timber berths to 
public competition bore injuriously as well on the trade as on the revenue ; 
the expense incurred in building camps, erecting dams, cutting roads, and 
other matters incident to to the business, being so great, that they would 
prefer paying an increased rate of mileage, if they would thereby secure 
the right of renewal for a larger period than one year. The Government, 
in order to meet in some degree the views of the lumbering interest, de- 
termined to offer the timber berths at auction, at the upset price of 20s. 
per square mile ; giving to the purchaser, who bid it up to 50s. or more 
per mile, the right of renewal for three years, at the rate at which it was 
bid off. Ninety-seven persons, holding 962| square miles, are accordingly 
entitled to the privilege of renewal, under this regulation. 

The introduction of this rule, and the increase of the general upset rate 
of mileage, will explain to some extent why the revenue from timber and 
lumber has been so much greater than in former years. 

Although the receipts for timber and lumber are so large, yet they wculd 



37 

unquestionably have been greater, were it not for the operation of a prac- 
tice, which prevails to a considerable extent among applicants for licenses, 
namely : when two or more persons desire to compete for a timber berth, 
they mutually agree to bid it off in the name of a person having no interest 
in the transaction, and, after the sale retire and compete for it amongst 
themselves, the proceeds of the private sale being divided amongst the com- 
petitors. How far this practice, or system, (for it is now so prevalent as 
almost to deserve that title) may be deemed a fraud upon the public, I 
know not, nor am I able to propose to your Excellency any measure by 
which it can be entirely abolished ; but if the trespass law could be so 
amended as to withhold the legal remedy from any other than a bona fide 
licensee, having a direct and beneficial interest in the license ; and if any 
license, obtained in the above manner, should be declared to be fraudulent 
and collusive, and be made voidable by the Governor and Council, on proof 
of its character, I think the practice would at least be sensibly diminished. 

Second — Land sold. 

The receipts for land sold are .£8,786 14s. 9d., an amount considerably 
greater than has been realized in any year since 1836. This increase has 
not arisen from any advance in the general price of the land, but from the 
greater quantity sold during the year. The average rate is not equal to 
that of 1852, but the quantity is nearly four times as much, the number 
of acres being respectively 22,952 in 1852, and 87,697 in 1853. 

The general abstract appended to this .Report will show that the quanti- 
ty sold in 1853 exceeds the aggregate quantity sold in the four previous 
years. 

It will be seen that a large increase over former years has occurred in 
the sales of land in King's, Kent, Westmoreland, and Albert ; which is no 
doubt in some measure caused by the projected railway, as it will pass 
through certain portions of those counties. 

The sale of town lot3 in the county of Victoria, at Colebrooke and Ed- 
mundston, presents a favorable indication of the advancing prosperity of 
these towns. The amount received during the past year for instalments 
due on lands sold in previous years, amounts to £1039 10s. 6d. Although 
this sum is considerably in advance of what has been received for some 
years past, yet I would recommend that more active measures be adopted 
to collect balances due ; as the country is now prosperous, and money 
abundant throughout the country districts, and the Crown debtors generally 
able to pay. 

The whole sum now due for instalments is about £27,000, exclusive of 
the payments made by labor on the roads, under the Commutation Act. 
Even the latter boon offered by the Legislature has been accepted only to a 
very limited extent, and I am persuaded that the Government will even- 
tually deem it expedient to resort to the operation of the law, which pro- 
vides for the summary recovery of all instalments as they become due. 

Third — Contingencies. 

The receipts on account of contingencies, or from all sources except tim- 
ber and land, have never been very great, and they are but little different 
in the past year, from what they have been at former times. 

Should the mining question be arranged and settled, I believe that the 



38 

royalties upon coals and minerals will hereafter form no inconsiderable item 
in this class of receipts ; at present, it is but of small amount. 

Fourth — Labor on Roads. 

The return of labor performed upon roads and bridges during the past 
year, amounts to ,£6,355 14s. 2d. ; and if I was satisfied that a fair equi- 
valent in labor had been obtained in a majority of the cases in which labor 
has been performed, during the last four years, in payment for Crown Lands. 
I would feel that the generosity of the Legislature had been prudently ap- 
plied ; but when I consider that in no case is there any ultimate and inde- 
pendent supervision of the work done ; that the whole is left, both as res- 
pects quantity and rate, as well as quality, to the irresponsible discretion of 
a single person for each district, I cannot but apprehend, that as regards 
work, the experiment has in some instances proved a failure. 

The Government has indeed interposed a check to the acquisition of land 
under the Labor Act by speculators, by which persons already owning 
land are precluded from applying to purchase by labor. 

The regulations, lately established, do not suffer any person to purchase 
under the Labor Act, who is under eighteen years of age, who is already 
the owner of other land, or who claims land purchased from the Crown, but 
ungranted. And no person, after having paid in full for his lot by labor 
and commission, can obtain a grant of it, until he prove to the satisfac- 
tion of the Government that he is then, and for twelve months past has 
been, actually residing on the lot, and has cleared and cultivated not less 
than ten acres of the said land ; the whole purchase being void unless all 
this be done within five years after approval of his petition. The effect of 
the law, therefore, and of the regulations to which I have adverted, must 
be on the whole beneficial, as inducing a large permanent settlement on 
the wildnerness lands of the Province. 

I annex comparative statements of sundry matters of receipt and expen- 
diture connected with the Crown Land Office, and I have the satisfaction 
of stating that while the receipts have been much larger in 1853, and the 
extent of office labor performed greater than in any year contained in the 
statements, the expenses have been less than in any of those years since 
1849. 

The whole revenue of the Crown Land Department for the past year, 
was as follows : — 

Amount received by the Receiver General by tickets is- 
sued from the Surveyor General, £18,848 3 
Deposits in the hands of the Receiver General, carried 

to account, 1.308 1 9 

Amount collected by the Attorney General. i 

Land sold and paid for by labor on the roads, 6,355 14 2 



Total, £26,846 18 11 

When the amount collected under the export duty act is taken into con- 
sideration, this branch of the public revenue is in a bighly flourishing 
state. 

(Signed) R. D. WILMOT, 

Surveyor General." 



39 



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40 

The above is the official report of the Surveyor General for the last five 
years. It contains much valuable information, and shews the progressive 
state of the Province : 

The large extent of territory subject to lumbering opera- 
tions, being 3,000,000 acres. 
The number of grants issued in 1853, 588 

» 1851, 222 

Difference in favor of 1853, 

Amount received for lands, timber, &c, in 1853, 

R it u u u lg51j 



£18,848 3 
6.085 2 5 



Difference in favor of 1853, £12,763 7 

This report also evidently proves that the census of 1851, which was 
taken at a time of great commercial and agricultural depression, does not 
convey a proper knowledge or estimate of the ratio of improvement now 
taking place in the Province, which, in the language of the report, "is 
now prosperous, and money abundant." 

•The following necessary forms of application for Crown Lands will be 
found useful, not only to those who may not be in possession of printed 
blank forms, but they will also show the manner in which this part of the 
machinery is conducted : 

1 ' To His Excellency, Lieutenant Governor, and 

Commander in Chief of the Province of New Brunswick ; 
The petition of 

Humbly sheweth, — 

That he is a British subject, and desirous of purchasing, for ac- 
tual settlement, acres of Crown Land, situate as follows : 

{Not to interfere with the right to cut timber or lumber under license 
applied for previous to the application for the purchase of the land.) 

Agreeably to the regulations passed in Council on the 11th May, 1843. 
And as in duty bound, will ever pray. 



Land situated. 


No. and 

extent 
of Lot. 


If vacant, 
&c. 


If surveyed, 
&c. 


If improved, 
&c. 


County. 


Parish or settlement. 













, Deputy Surveyor." 

The petition to be signed by the applicant, and the columns of the 
blank return to be filled up and signed by the Deputy Surveyor. 

The regulations for purchasing land under the labor act, vary from those 
under the ordinary system of purchasing Crown Lands for actual settle- 
ment : 

1st. The price is three shillings, cum ncy , per acre. 



41 

2nd. No grant made to persons under 18 years of age, nor to owners of 
land. 

3d. No more than one hundred acres. 

4th. Petitions must be in the form annexed. 

5th. Lands must be occupied within three months from notice of appro- 
val in the Koyal Gazette, and improvements, to the amount of <£10 curren- 
cy, made within that time. 

6th. No labor to be performed in payment for land, until petition ap- 
proved, and land surveyed, and improved as aforesaid to satisfaction of 
Commissioners. 

Tth. The applicant must pay one-fourth of the value of his land, accor- 
ding to the value of labor at the time, including five per cent, to the Com- 
missioner, annually, until the whole is paid for. 

8th. No approval shall continue in force longer than two years from its 
date, unless the applicant shall have paid, by labor and commission, at least 
one -fourth of the purchase money. 

9th. The Commissioner is required to make returns to the Provincial 
Secretary, on or before the 15th day of December, in each year. 

10th. No applicant to allow any logs, timber, &c, to be removed, until 
all the conditions are complied with. 

11th. Fraud and deception, practised by an applicant under this act, will 
result in loss both of property and labor done, if any. 

12th. No person shall be entitled to a grant, unless he prove to the Go- 
vernment, within five years, that he has paid the purchase money and com- 
mission, and that he has resided upon the lot approved of to him for the 
last twelve months, and that he has cultivated not less than ten acres of 
the said land. 

13th. The Government claim the right to sell logs and timber on all lots 
thus appplied for, to the value of £10, until the first day of May next fol- 
lowing such survey and improvements. 

14th. All petitions heretofore approved under the Labor Act, 12 V., C. 
4, are subject to the regulations, of which the foregoing is a synopsis. 

{Form of Petition. ) 

" To His Excellency, Lieutenant Governor, &c. 

The petition of 

Humbly sheweth, — 

That he resides in thi3 Province ; is a British subject ; 
years of age ; does not own any land, and has no claim to any land pur- 
chased from Government, payable by instalments or by labor ; that he is 
desirous of purchasing a lot of Crown Land containing acres, and 

situate as follows : 

and prays leave to pay for the same by labor ; agreeably to the Act 12 Vic- 
toria, chap. 4 ; and he pledges himself to conform in aU things to the regu- 
lations prescribed by Government for such purchases. 

And, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 



42 



Land situated. 


No. and 

extent 

of Lot. 


If vacant, 
&c. 


If surveyed, 


If improved, 
&c. 


County. 


Parish or settlement. 













The following list comprises the officers belonging to the Crown Land 
Department in 1854 : 

In-door Establishment. 



The Honorable James Brown, 
Robert Gowan, 
Andrew Inches, 
Timothy O'Connor, and ) 
Anthony Lockwood, ) 
George P. Wolhauper, 



Surveyor General. 
Accountant. 
Chief Draftsman. 

Assistant Draftsmen. 

Assistant Accountant. 



Persons holding Deputations from the Surveyor General, arranged by Counties. 

The County of York contains, in addition to the in-door establishment 
above named : 





Residence. 


*Beverley R. Jewett, 


Fredericton. 


Jacob B. Jemett, 


Douglas. 


* Allan McLean, 


St. Mary's. 


James Nelson, 


Kingsclear. 


Michael O'Connor, 


Fredericton. 


Thomas Ramsay, 


St. Mary's. 


Robert Waugh, 


Stanley. 


Alexander Sibald, 


Fredericton. 


John Grant, 


Do. 


* James MacLaughlan, 


Kingsclear. 


John Wilkinson, 


Fredericton. 


County of Sunbury. 




Stephen Burpee, 


Sheffield. 


C. L. Hathaway, 


Maugervillo. 


Queen 's. 




*John Colling, 


Gagetown. 


James Kerr, 


Petersville. 


Samuel Mahood, 




King's. 




*oNelson Arnold, 


Sussex Vale. 


*o Alexander Burnett, 


Springfield. 


: *oSamuel Fair weather, 


Bclleisle. 


Saint John, 




Thomas 0. Keleher, 


City. 


William Percival, 


Do. 


J. 0. Godaril, 


Do. 


William Hazen, 


Do. 


* Jacob Allen, 


Indian Town 


*oJo*eph B. Whipple, 


Carleton. 



43 





Charlotte. 




o* William Mahood, 




St. Andrews, 


C. R. Hathaway, 


Westmoreland. 


Do. 


*oPhilip Palmer, 




Sackville. 


John Steadman, 




Bend. 


*oSamuel S. Wilmot, 




Salisbury. 


Alexander Monro, 




Bay Verte. 


Jonas Cutler, 




Bend. 


Charles G. Palmer, 


Albert. 


Sackville. 


*oReuben Stiles, 


Kent. 


Hopewell. 


oRobert Douglas, 




Buctouche. 


oPeter Mezerall, 


Northumberland. 


Richibucto. 


*o James Davidson, 




Oak Point, Miramichi, 


*John Davidson, 




Dumfries. 


* James L. Price, 




Ludlow. 


*oCharles S. Peters, 




Chatham. 


William Parlue, 


Gloucester. 


Kelson. 


*oMatthew Carruthers, 


Restigouche. 


Bathurst. 


*oDavid Sadler, 


Carleton. 


Dalhousie. 


*oH. M. Garden, 




Woodstock, 


* John Bedell, 




Do. 



None. 



Victoria. 



Note. — Those Deputies, to whose names the asterisk (*) is prefixed, are 
also seizing officers : and those to whose names the (o) is prefixed, are ap- 
pointed to conduct the sales of Crown Lands in their respective counties. 



44 



Table, shewing the content in acres which has been granted, estimated or 
located, by the Crown ; and the extent yet remaining vacant, and at the 
disposal of Government, in each county in New Brunswick : 



County. 


Acres vacant. 


Granted. 


Restigouche. 


1,269,581 


156,979 


Gloucester. 


704,533 


332<902 


Northumberland . 


1,993,832 


986,168 


Kent. 


640,002 


386,398 


Westmoreland. 


301,000 


577,440 


Albert. 


199,860 


233,700 


Saint John. 


105,573 


309,147 


Charlotte. 


466,115 


317,245 


Kings. 


187.168 


662,752 


Queens. 


447,076 


514.204 


Sunbury. 


405,002 


377.078 


York. 


1,230,686 


970,914 


Carleton. 


234,198 


465,802 


Victoria. 


2,526,400 


345,600 


Totals. 


11,041,031 


6,636,329 



The above scale of areas is exclusive of water, and is corrected to March 
1852, as regards the boundary between Canada and Restigouche, and Vic- 
toria counties. 

The preceding scale was kindly furnished to the writer by Andrew Inches, 
Esq., Head Draftsman, Crown Land Office, Fredericton. 

It appears, from Dr. Gesner's history of New Brunswick, that the total 
number of acres granted, up to 1846, was 6,077,960 : shewing that there 
has been an increase in six years of 558.369. 

CURRENCY. 

There is no part of the machinery of civil government which stands in 
more urgent need of wholesome laws and regulations than that affecting the 
circulating medium of the country. In this Province, it is both confused 
jmd defective ; the legal and changeable values of the various coins and 
bank bills forming the circulating mediums of these colonies, and the differ- 
ence in their respective currencies, are objectional on several grounds. First, 
these discrepancies are productive of great, inconveniences, even within the 
"Province. Secondly, there is a total absence of uniformity among the several 
^ovinces ; and thirdly, the periodical legislative enactments render the 
rhole system intricate and uncertain. 
The difference between currency and sterling is well known, and. were 
uniform throughout British North America, would be easily calculated, 
id produce little difficulty ; but the disagreement existing between the 
due, or nominal value, of what is made a legal tender in the different Pi-o- 
unces, is certainly very injurious to their commercial interests. It is felt 
lore especially in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which have a com- 
mon boundary, one common interest, and a considerable mutual trade ; be- 
lee being, like the Qthcra, united under one Imperial Head. But the dif-* 



ference between their currencies is not so great as that existing between 
each of them and Prince Edward's Island, distant less than ten miles from 
New Brunswick. A twenty shilling bank note, issued in either of these 
Provinces, is worth twenty-four shillings in the Island currency ; and other 
descriptions of money bear a similar ratio. 

The bank notes issued in each Colony pass " on the face/*' that is for 
their expressed currency value in the Province to which they may respec- 
tively belong ; though these notes, as well as the various coins, differ in 
value when offered in payment out of the Province issuing them. The dif- 
ference is arbitrary ; and the paper currency of Nova Scotia will be at a 
discount in New Brunswick, varying sometimes from three pence to nine 
pence, and even a shilling, in the pound. 

Another inconvenience has arisen to New Brunswick, and has given rise 
to much confusion, from the Legislature changing the value of various 
coins, and especially the English shilling, from its former convenient value 
of fifteen pence, or the quarter dollar, to fourteen pence half-penny. Along 
the New Brunswick shores of the Bay of Fundy, and on the river St. 
John, it passes for fourteen pence half-penny ; while on the north-east 
coast it is current, except in the public offices, for fifteen pence, notwith 
standing the law. 

The legal value of the several coins usually in circulation will be best 
shewn, as far as relates to this Province, by the following extract from the 
New Brunswick Act 15 Victoria, chap. LXXXV. : 

Be it enacted, by the Lieutenant Governor, Legislative Council and As- 
sembly, as follows : 

1. The unit of account in this Province shall be the pound, equal to 
twenty shillings currency of the present currency, and shall be such that 
the pound sterling, as represented by the British sovereign, of the weight 
and fineness now fixed by the law of the United Kingdom of Great Britain 
and Ireland, shall be equal to, and any such British sovereign shall be legal 
tender for, one pound four shillings and four pence currency ; provided 
always that all sums of money and accounts may be legally mentioned, de- 
scribed and stated either in dollars, and decimal parts of a dollar, or in the 
present currency. 

2. The eagle of the United States, coined after the first day of July, 
in the year of our Lord 1834, and before the first day of March, in the 
year of our Lord 1852, and weighing ten penny weights eighteen grains, 
troy, shall pass and be a legal tender for two pounds ten shillings cur- 
rency. 

3. The gold coins of Great Britain and Ireland, or of the United States, 
coined before the day last aforesaid, being multiples or divisions of those 
hereinbefore mentioned, and of proportionate weight, shall for proportionate 
sums pass current and be a legal tender to any amount by tale, so long as 
such coins shall not want more than two grains of the weight hereby as- 
signed to them, respectively, deducting one half-penny currency for each 
quarter of a grain any such coin shall want of such weight ; provided al- 
ways that, in any one payment above the sum of fifty pounds, the person 
paying may pay, or the person to receive may insist on receiving the said 
British gold coins by weight, at the rate of ninety-four shillings and ten 
pence currency per ounce, troy ; and in like manner any sums tendered or 
to be received in the gold coin of the United States, may be weighed in 



46 

bulk as aforesaia^and shall be legal tender at the rate of ninety-three shil- 
lings currency per ounce, troy, when offered in sums of not less than fifty 
pounds currency. 

4. Such coins, representing pounds currency, or multiples or divisions 
of pounds currency, as her Majesty shall see fit to direct to be struck for 
the purpose, shall, by such names and at such rates as her Majesty shall 
assign to them, respectively, pass current and be a legal tender in this Pro- 
vince ; the standard of fineness of the said coins, when of silver or gold, 
being the same, respectively, as that now adopted for coins of the United 
Kingdom ; and the intrinsic value of the said coins, when of gold, bearing 
the same proportion to that of the British sovereign as the sum for which 
they are respectively to pass current, shall bear to one pound four shillings 
and four pence of the present currency, or four dollars eighty-six cents and 
two- thirds of a cent ; and the intrinsic value of such coins, when of silver 
or copper, bearing the same proportion to their nominal or current value which 
the intrinsic value of British silver or copper coins, respectively, bears to 
their nominal or current value ; provided always that such gold coins shall 
be a legal tender to any amount by tale, so long as they shall not want more 
than two grains of the standard weight, to be assigned to them, respective- 
ly, by her Majesty, subject to the same deduction for want of weight as is 
provided by the preceding section with regard to British and American gold 
coins ; and provided, also, that such silver coins shall not be a legal tender 
to the amount of more than two pounds ten shillings currency, or ten dol- 
lars, in any one payment, nor such copper coins to the amount of more than 
one shilling currency, or twenty cents, in any one payment ; provided, far- 
ther, that the holder of the notes or obligations of any person or body cor- 
porate, to the amount of more than two pounds ten shillings currency, or 
ten dollars, shall not be bound to receive in such silver coins more than that 
amount in payment of such notes, if presented at one time, although each 
or any of such notes be for a less sum. 

5. The Lieutenant Governor of this Province, with the advice of the 
Executive Council, may, by proclamation, extend all the provisions of this 
Act, having reference to the gold coins of the United States coined before 
the first day of March, in the year of our Lord 1852, to any gold coins of 
the said United States coined on or after the first day of March, in the year 
last aforesaid, of the weight and denominations mentioned or referred to in 
this Act, which, having been assayed at the Royal mint, shall have been 
found equal in fineness to the coins mentioned or referred to in this Act. 

6. It shall be lawful for the Lieutenant Governor of the Province, with 
the advice of the said Executive Council, out of any unappropriated monies, 
to defray the cost of obtaining and importing such quantity of the said 
coins, respectively, as the said Lieutenant Governor, with the advice afore- 
said, shall from time to time think it for the interest of the Province to obtain 
and import. 

7. All British silver coins not herein enumerated, and now in circula- 
tion, shall be a legal tender for sums not exceeding two pounds ten shillings, 
at six shillings and one penny for the crown piece, three shillings and a half- 
penny for the half-crown, one shilling and two pence half-penny for the fifth 
part of the crown, and seven pence farthing for the tenth part of the crown ; 
provided always that it shall be lawful for the Lieutenant Governor, by pro- 
clamation in the Ptoyal Gazette, to stop the circulation of the coins in this sec- 
tion mentioned, giving 6 months' notice in such proclamation for that purpose." 



47 

A scale or synopsis of the current value of coins usually in circulation, 
deduced from the above Act, will be found appended to this article. 

Nova Scotia Currency. 

By chapter 83 of the Statutes of Nova Scotia, as revised by order of the 
Legislature of that Province, in the year 1851, it is enacted as follows : 

" 1. The several coins hereafter mentioned shall be legal tenders in dis- 
charge of any liability or demand, at the respective rates hereafter declared, 
viz. : 

The gold coin of the United Kingdom called a sovereign, being of full 
weight, at the rate of one pound sterling, or one pound five shillings cur- 
rency. 

The foreign gold coin called the doubloon, being of not less weight than 
four hundred and fifteen grains each, containing not less than three hun- 
dred and sixty grains of pure gold, at and after the rate of three pounds 
four shillings sterling, or four pounds currency. 

The Peruvian, Mexican, Columbian and old Spanish dollar, being of the 
full weight of four hundred and sixteen grains, and containing not less than 
three hundred and seventy-three grains of pure silver, at the rate of four 
shillings and two pence sterling, or five shillings and two pence half-penny 
currency. 

All British silver coins after the same rate as the sovereign, in the same 
proportion as such respective coins bear thereto. 

And the copper coin legally current in the United Kingdom, and that is- 
sued from the treasury of the Province, as penny and half-penny prices cur- 
rency. 

2. No person shall be compelled to receive, at any one time, a greater 
amount than fifty shillings currency in British silver money, nor more than 
twelve pence currency in copper money ; and in any payment no account 
shall be taken of any fractional part remaining due less than one half- 
penny. 

S. The holder of any undertaking or order for the payment of money, 
which is designed to be and to serve the like purpose of notes or bills of 
bankers, or for circulating currency, whether payable to a real or fictitious 
person, or to the bearer thereof, or purporting to be transferable by indorse- 
ment or delivery, and whether made payable in gold or silver, or otherwise, 
may demand the full amount thereof in gold or silver money from the party 
by whom the same is payable ; and in default of such payment, the party 
shall pay to such holder interest at the rate of twelve per cent, per annum 
upon the amount thereof from the day of such demand and refusal. 

4. Every such undertaking shall be transferable by delivery only -tfith- 
out endorsement or assignment, and every holder of such undertaking may 
recover the amount therein expressed, as if the same were a promissory 
note, made absolutely payable in gold or silver money. 

5. The holder of any such order or undertaking, being indebted to the 
person being the maker thereof, may tender the same to such maker in or 
towards payment of such debt for the full amount therein expressed. 

6. Any person issuing as circulating currency any promissory note, 
bank note or bill for a less sum than five pounds, shall, for every such of- 
fence, forfeit ten pounds ; and any person issuing, as circulating currency, 
any promissory note, bank note or bill, expressed to be payable otherwise 
than in gold or silver money, shall for every such offence forfeit a like sum. 



48 



7. The foregoing provisions shall not extend to treasury notes of [this 
Province, nor to any undertaking or order not designed for circulation as 
currency, but bona fide, drawn by any person upon hi3 banker or any other 
person ; nor shall they prevent any person indebted in a sum less than five 
pounds from making to his creditor a promissory note or undertaking to 
pay such sum." 

Scale or synopsis of the currency of the Lower Provinces, deduced from 
the foregoing Acts and the Prince Edward Island Statutes, 12 Victoria, 
chap. 24. 



Denomination. 


Sterling 


• 


New 
Brunswick. 


Nova Scotia. 


P. E. Island. 


Sovereign, 


£1 





£1 4 


4 


£15 


£1 10 


Half Sovereign, 


10 





12 


2 


12 6 


15 


American Eagle, 






2 10 







3 


Doubloon, in the ratio of ) 
the Sovereign, $ 


3 4 





3 17 


01 


4 


4 16 


Crown, 


5 





6 


1 


6 3 


7 6 


Half Crown, 


2 


6 


3 


o* 


3 1£ 


3 9 


Fifth part of a Crown or ) 
Shilling, 5 


1 





1 


2i 


13 


16 


Tenth do. do., 





6 





n 


7i 


9 


Spanish or Mexican, &c, > 
Dollar, < 
Half Dollar, 


4 


2 


5 





5 2£ 


6 3 


2 


1 


2 


6 


2 6 


3 


Quarter do., 












16 


Five Franc piece, 












5 6 



To bring Nova Scotia or New Brunswick currency to that of Prince 
Edward Island, multiply by six, and divide by five, and vice versa. 

The lawful interest paid for the use of money in all these Provinces is 
six per cent, per annum. 

BANKS. 

Central Bank of New Brunswick, at Fredericton. Capital £35,000, 
with power to increase to £50,000. This Bank has two agencies — one at 
Woodstock, in Carleton county, and one at the Bend, in the county of West- 
moreland. 

Commercial Bank of New Brunswick is established at Saint John, 
and incorporated by Royal charter, having a capital of £150.000, with 
power to increase to £300,000. It ha3 agencies at Miramichi and at Wood- 
stock. 

Bank of New Brunswick, at Saint John, has a capital of £100,000. 

Charlotte County Bank is situate in St. Andrews, with a capital of 
£15,000. 

St. Stephen' s Bank, in Charlotte county, has a capital of £25,000. 

Bank of British Not^th America is established in London, with a capi- 
tal of £1,000,000 sterling, with power of increase. It has branches at St. 
John and Fredericton, as well as at Halifax, Quebec, and all the principal 
cities of British North America. 

Westmoreland Bank is situate at the Bend, with a capital of £20,000. 
This Bank has an agency at Sackville. 



' 



49 



Savings Banks. 



St. John Savings Bank is in a very prosperous state ; it is conducted 
on the cheapest and most efficient principle. 

The St. Andrew's Savings Bank : 

Miramichi Savings Bank, and 

The Shediac Savings Bank, are all in a prosperous condition, and are 
found to be of great accommodation in their respective localities. 

The principal Insurance Companies in the Province are the Cent/ al Fire 
Insurance Company, Marine Insurance Company, Globe Assurance 
Company, and South Bay Boom Company. Besides these, many of 
the London Companies have established agencies, especially for life as- 
surance. 

There is always an American Consul resident at St. John, and Yice Con- 
suls at St. Andrews and Miramichi. 

Note. — The various Savings Banks established in the different parts ot 
the Province above referred to, are empowered by law to receive depositions 
from any one person to the amount of £50 currency, and allow interest at 
the rate of five per cent, per annum. The Provincial Treasurer is author- 
ised to receive the moneys deposited in the Banks, and allow six per cent, in- 
terest. The expenses of these institutions are defrayed by the difference of 
one per cent. 

CLIMATE. 

There are a variety of influences upon which the climate of a country 
depends. It is said tbat a flat country, even in the same latitude, is warm- 
er than a high mountainous district ; and if the prevailing winds, in any 
particular region of the northern hemisphere, be from the southv.est, an ad- 
ditional degree of warmth is imparted to the atmosphere. 

New Brunswick possesses these advantages in a high degree, being a re- 
markably level country, situate nearly in the middle of the temperate zone ; 
the prevailing summer winds being from the southwest, and its position be- 
ing on the eastern side of the North American continent. All these local 
circumstances conduce to the heat of its summers, and in some measure, 
also, to the frigidity of its winters. With respect to the winter, however, 
experience has proved that where the forest has been removed to any ex- 
tent, and as the clearing proceeds, its excessive severity has been much mol- 
lified. 

From a number of observations made at different times, and in various 
parts of the Province, the extremes and mean of temperrture are nearly as 
follows : 

Extreme of cold, (below zero) 24 ° ) 

Extreme of heat in the shade, 96 > Fahrenheit's thermometer. 

Mean temperature of the year, 44 ) 
Perhaps, from this scale, a stranger to the operations and effect of the 
climate of the Province would be led to believe it injurious to health and 
destructive to vegetation, and if it were not for the gradual change cf the 
seasons, such wou'd probably be the result. In point of fact, however, the 
climate of New Brunswick, in common with that of the contiguous Pro- 
vinces of Canada and Nova Scotia, and the adjacent Island of Prince Ed- 
ward, is now considered to be more salubrious than any other part of the 
9 



x 



50 

continent of America, All these Provinces are generally free from endemical 
diseases. Those prevailing in Southern States and West Indies, and even as 
far north as Boston and New York, are unknown in New Brunswick, and her 
inhabitants generally enjoy excellent health, with the exception of epidemical 
diseases which are sometimes introduced by emigrants from other countries, and 
which the promptness and efficiency of the boards of health cannot always 
exclude. During the last year, New Brunswick has perhaps somewhat ano- 
malously suffered from that scourge with which the Almighty has been 
pleased to visit most of the nations of the earth, the cholera. Without en- 
quiring whether local causes might not have added to the virulence of the 
disease, it is somewhat consolatory to reflect that even the most healthy 
countries in the world have not escaped its ravages, and that it may lead to 
precautions which may prevent, or at all events, mitigate its recurrence. 

The following quotations will show the high opinion entertained of the 
salubrity of New Brunswick, by those who have given the best attention to 
the subject : 

" Under a general view, the climate of New Brunswick is decidedly 
healthy, and there is no disease peculiar to the country." — Dr. Gesner on 
New Brunswick, page 230. 

" We feel grateful to Divine Providence that New Brunswick has es- 
caped the visitation of those diseases to which other parts of this continent 
have been subject; a gratifying proof of the salubrity of our climate. "' — 
Address of the House of Assembly in answer to his Excellency's Speech 
in 1854. 

The climate of the Province is also thus favorably spoken of by John 
McGregor, Esq., in his second volume on British America, page 5 : 

" Generally speaking, the climate may be considered at least equally 
healthy as that of England." 

Professor Johnston, in his report so often referred to, makes the follow- 
ing observations : 

" The subject of general climate is a wide one, but the relations of cli- 
mate to agriculture, in an economical sense, admit of a comparatively limit- 
ed discussion. 

" Two things, in regard to the climate of New Brunswick, I feel myself 
compelled, by all the evidence I have collected, unreservedly to admit. 

" 1st. That it is an exceedingly healthy climate. Every medical man 
I have met in the Province, I believe, without exception, and almost every 
other person I have conversed with, assure me of this ; and the healthy 
looks and the numerous families of the natives of all classes confirm these 
assurances. 

" 2ndly. That it does not prevent the soil from producing crops which, 
other things being equal, are not inferior, cither in quantity or in quality, 
to those of average soils in England ; while the tables of produce introduced 
into a previous chapter shews that, according to our present knowledge, it 
permits the soil of New Brunswick to yield crops which exceed the present 
averages of Upper Canada, and of the States of New York and Ohio." — 
Page 98. 

The great agricultural capabilities of New Brunswick and its climate, 
and their fitness for settlement and cultivation, are briefly set forth in the 
official report of the commissioner sent out by Great Britain to explore the 
line of railway from Halifax to Quebec. They express themselves on this 
subject in the following terms : 



51 

" Of the climate, Soil and capabilities of New Brunswick, it is impossible 
to speak too highly. There is not a country in the world so beauifully 
wooded and watered. An inspection of the map will show that there is 
scarcely a portion of it without its streams, from the running brook up to 
the navigable river. Two thirds of its boundary are washed by the sea; 
the remainder is embraced by the large rivers — the St. John and the Resti- 
gouche. The beauty and richness of scenery of this latter river, and its 
branches, are rarely surpassed by anything on this continent. The lakes 
of New Brunswick are numerous and most beautiful ; its surface is undu- 
lating — hill and vale— varying up to mountain and valley. It is every- 
where, except a few peaks of the highest mountains, covered with a dense 
forest of the finest growth. 

" The country can everywhere be penetrated by its streams. In some 
parts of the interior, by a portage of some three or four miles only, a canoe 
can float away either in the Bay Chaleur or the Gulf of St. Lawrence, or 
down to St. John and the Bay of Fundy. Its agricultural capabilities and 
climate are described by Bouchette, Martin and others. The country is by 
them — and most deservedly so — highly praised. 

" For any great plan of emigration or colonization, there is not another 
British colony which presents such a favorable field for the trial as New 
Brunswick. 

" On the surface is an abundant stock of the finest timber, whfch in the 
markets of England realizes large sums annually, and affords an unlimited 
supply of fuel to the settlers. If the forests should ever become exhaust- 
ed, there are the coal fields underneath. 

" The rivers, lakes and sea coasts abound with fish. Along the Bay of 
Chaleur it is so abundant that the land smells with it. It is used as a ma- 
nure ; and, while the olfactory senses of the traveller are offended by it on 
the land, he sees out at sea innumerable shoals darkening the surface of the 
water." 

This description of New Brunswick is given by two very intelligent offi- 
cers of the Royal Engineers, who thoroughly traversed the Province during 
all the variations of its climate. Their opinion of the country, therefore, 
is founded on actual experience, and must be of incalculable import to those 
desirous of emigrating, 

In further reference to the character of our climate, we cannot adduce 
stronger testimony than that of Dr. Waddell, the philanthropic and highly 
qualified superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum, who, in his report of that 
institution to the Legislature, January 31, 1853, says: — "The combina- 
tion of elements to procure a large increase in mental disease does not exist 
in the Province. Educationally, it is improved and improving ; politically, 
it is tranquil ; commercially, it is prosperous and steady ; agriculturally, it 
never till now attained so high a position, and laborers in every department 
are profitably employed; and, as regards climate, none is more healthful." 

The depth of snow that usually falls in this Province is much varied. 
During some winters it averages three feet over the Province : at other 
times there will not be more than eighteen inches fall in the southern, while 
there will be four feet or more in its most northern section ; and this has 
been assigned as one reason of the superior productiveness of the latter over 
the former section of the Province. It is not unfrequent, especially to- 
wards the south, to see winters pass away without snow enough falling to 
afford six weeks' sledding. We seldom fail to have what is known here as 



52 

" a January thaw," which frequently deprives the snow-clad hills of their 
covering. The snow that falls in this country is not more than half the 
Wiight of that which falls in England ; while nine inches of snow in 
that country afford, on an average, one inch of Witer, it takes seventeen 
inches in this Province to produce the same quantity. 

Another mo3t important consideration falling under the head of ''cli- 
mate," is its effect upon the agriculture of the Province. The following 
divisions present nearly an outline of the manner in which the farmers of 
New Brunswick are employed during the different periods of the year : 

December ] These may be considered the winter months, in which the 
January ! principal out-door operations on the farm general !y cease. 
February f During this period the land undergoes a thorough pulverization 
March J by frost, equal to one ploughing. Farmers employ themselves 
in felling timber on new farms, and in preparing land for burning in the 
spring to receive a crop, procuring fencing materials and houseing of fuel, 
threshing, marketing produce, &c. ; and as the winter evenings are long, 
social visits are made amongst each other, when the doings of the year are 
reviewed. 

April ) These months may be said to include seed time ; wheat, oats, bar- 
May ) hy, spring rye, Indian corn, turnips and carrots are sown, and po- 
tatoes planted, during this period. 

June ) This is the great season for growth, although hay-making, and 
July > the harvesting of wheat, barley and oats, frequently commence; 
August ) the latter often about the 20th August. 

September ) During this period harvesting is completed, and autumn 
October > ploughing performed ; cattle continue grazing from the loth 
November ) May to the 20th November, after which time they have to be 
housed. 

"As to the way in which it" (the winter in this Province) Ci interferes with 
the farmers' operations," Professor Johnston received 62 answers from per- 
sons residing in different parts of the Provinc3, from which it appears that 
the earliest sowing in the Province was " on the 17th March " ; the ;; latest 
p^nghing in the Province " on the 1st December. " Longest summer from 
these data, eight months and fourteen days." 

" 2nd. Latest early sowing, 15th May. 

Eirliest late ploughing, 1st November. 

Shortest summer from these data, five months and fifteen days. 

" 3rd Mean length of the summer from these two results, six months 
and twenty two days." 

Notwithstanding the conclusion thus arrived at by the Professor, the 
average length of time which the New Brunswick farmer can devote to out- 
door operations is not less than seven months. The average duration of 
summer being seven months, we may call the average period of the growth 
of crops three months and twenty days, leaving to the farmer three months 
and ten days in which to perform his spring and autumn ploughing and 
other out door work before seed time and after harvest. 

The Professor, after contrasting the period thu3 afforded the New Bruns- 
wick farmer, before and after seed time, for preparing the land for a crop, 
with that allowed to the Scotch and English farmers, proceeds as follows : 

" The number of days during whioh rain imnedes the operations of the 



53 

British farmer is notoriously very great. In some counties, which possess 
soils of a peculiarly tenacious character, it brings another evil in addition 
to that which attends the New Bunswick winter. It not only shortens the 
period during which the work of preparing the land can be done, but it also 
makes it heavier or more difficult to do Thus the farmer's expenses in 
Great Britian are considerably increased by the precarious nature of the cli- 
mate he lives in. 

" But in New Brunswick the climate is more steady and equable. Rains 
do not so constantly fall, and when they do descend, the soils in most parts 
of the Province are so porous as readily to allow them to pass through. 
Thus the out-door operations of the farmer are less impeded by rain, and 
the disposable time he possesses, compared with that of the British farmer, 
is really not to be measured by the number of days at the disposal of each." 

The average number of stormy days during the year in this Province has 
been found to be about ninety-six ; less than the usual average in Great Bri- 
tain, and in many parts of the United States. 

The action of the frost, which penetrates the ground to a considerable 
depth, leaves the land in a pulverized and decomposed state, and is consider- 
ed to save the farmer one ploughing ; and whenever the ground has been 
thus thorouohly pulverized by frost and well covered with snow, good crops 
are sure to follow. 

The injurious results arising to grass lands from the exposure of the roots 
to frost when the ground is bare of snow, may be completely obviated by a 
proper system of drainage. 



54 





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55 



The principal Agricultural and Horticultural productions of New Bruns- 
wick are as follows : 



Wheat, 


Carrots, 


Oats, 


Beets, 


Barley, 


Parsnips, 


Buckwheat, 


Mangold Wurtzel, 


Rye, 


Cucumbers, 


Indian Corn, 


Apples, 


Hay, 


Pears, 


Flax, 


Cherries, 


Potatoes, 


Plums, 


Beans, 


Currants, 


Peas, 


Hemp, 


Turnips, 


Cabbages, Cauliflowers. 


And all the other usual garden vegetables. 



It may be interesting to some of our readers to be furnished with a list 
of some of the Shrubs and Herbaceous plants which have been noticed in 
our woods, but which are not of much known utility It is by no means 
given as a complete botanical flora of New Brunswick, but more as a sort 
of nucleus for any future botanist to add to and complete. 



Indigenous 


?— Shrubs, &c. 


The Elder— a soft stemmed shrub, 


Wild raspberry and bramble or black 


producing berries, and said to pos- 


berry. 


sess medicinal qualities, 


Lamb bell (Bhodora Canadensis.) 


Maple bush." 


Labrador Tea. 


Hobble bush. 


May-flower. 


High-bush Cranberry. 


Azalla (vase ) 


Cherries. 


Holly (not the English holly.) 


Sumach. 


Blueberry. 


Plums. 


Dogrose. 


Honeysuckle. 


Andromeda- 


Wild currant and gooseberry, 


Hard hash. 


Kalmia (Laurel.) 


Bass Wood, 


Herbaceous Plants. 


False wake Robin, 


Spice root. 


Solomon's Seal, 


Gold thread. 


Bell Wort, 


Blood root. 


Flag root, 


Dog tooth violet. 


Chocolate Boot. 


Sedge. 


Lilly of the valley, 


Rush. 


Hellebore (cow bull,) 


Leihen of various species. 


Cow Cabbage, 


Moss do., some very beautiful. 


Yellow weed, crow foot, 


Club moss. 


Indian cup, 


Fern. 


Violet, 


Gooseberries. 


Buck bean. 


Tea berries. 


White Weed, bull's eye. 


Sphagnum. 


Winter Green. v 


Cotton weed. 


Wood sorrel. 


Currants. 



56 

Bristly aralia. Snake Root. 

Farsaparilla. Pink. 

All heal. Snake mouth. 

Fire weed, willow herb. Ladies' slipper. 

Life everlasting. Golden rod. 

Meadowane. Yellow water lilly. 

Cranberries. Pigeon berry. 

Strawberries. h uckle-berry. > 

Indian hemp. Butter-nuts. 

Boneset. Hazel-nuts. 
Twin flower. 

Note. — Many of the above are taken from Sir James Alexander's 
L'Acadie. 

AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITIES OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 

New Brunswick consists of a great variety of soils ; the principal of which 
are the gray, red and pale colored sand stones, which crumble readily, 
and clay and alluvium deposits ; extensive ranges of these deposits are every 
where to be found, and they constitute some of the best land for hay and 
oats, while those of the gray sand stone formation are lighter, and better 
calculated for the grouth of potatoes, and the several kinds of grain pro- 
duced in the Province. 

Farming in this Province is carried on, with some few honorable excep- 
tions, in a most slovenly and unscientific manner ; and when we contrast 
the number of persons who are comfortably sustained by this pursuit and 
the quantities of agricultural produce raised, with the system, or rather the 
absence of any system, applied to the raising it, we must be struck with 
astonishment at the capability of the soil and the geniality of the climate, 
which produce, with so little scientific labor such large quantities of food 
for the sustentation both of man and beast. 

The Province has been estimated to contain, of first rate soil, called No. 
1, by Professor Johnston : — 

Acres. 
About *50,000 

Of second rate or No. 2 1,130,000 

And of No. 3 12,181,000 

Total of land fit for settlement 13,36i.000 

Amount of improved land 660,000 

Land still unimproved 12,701,000 

A part of this land has been granted, but still remains unimproved : 

Acres. 

Total quantity of land in the Province 20 000,000 

11 l " fit for settlement 13,361.000 



6.639,000 



(Note.) — *The Professor's estimate as to this item must be much underrated ; there 
appears to be this quantity of marsh of the first quality on the New Brunswick sido 
of the B;<y of Fundy alone, exclusive of the interval on the river St. John and other 
parts of the Province. 



57 

According to these estimates, there will be 6,639,000 acres, consist- 
ing of lakes, rivers, bays, and barren lands unfit for cultivation ; and this is 
a near approximation to the truth. 

It is not merely the large quantity of fertile land still open to the settler, 
that constitutes the great superiority of the Province for agricultural pur- 
suits ; but the great variety of grain and vegetables it is capable of producing ; 
the rapidity with which they come to maturity, the excellence of their qua- 
lity, and the various soils adapted for compost making, are all of them im- 
portant considerations ; nor must we omit the salubrity of the climate. All 
these advantages are fully indicated by the ease and comfort generally en- 
joyed by the population, more especially by that portion engaged in farm- 
ing. 

If the coal mines of this Province, the extent and quality of which are 
as yet but partially known, should be found to equal in production the san- 
guine anticipations of Dr. Gesner, and thus furnish ample supplies of fuel, 
the agricultural capabilities of the Province would sustain a population of 
nearly six millions, besides a due proportion of cattle, sheep, horses and 
pigs ; but if a large proportion of the best lands, which generally produce 
the best timber, should have to be reserved for the production of fuel for 
domestic purposes, the population must be proportionably less. However, 
this is looking into the distant future, for the timber producing qualities of 
the Province appear to be almost inexhaustible, considering that there are 
not less than 16,000,000 acres covered with a dense forest. 

If we compare the agricultural improvements and the population of this 
Province with those of the small island of Prince Edward, we shall find it 
much to our disadvantage. That colony does not contain as great an area 
as either of the counties of York, Victoria or Northumberland — not more 
than one thirteenth of the area of New Brunswick, yet it supports a larger 
population in proportion to its extent, and exports a considerable quantity 
of grain. This Province contains nearly three acres and a quarter of cleared 
land to each inhabitant, and Nova Scotia about three acres ; while the Is- 
land possesses three acres and a half. Small as this difference may appear, 
it would, if New Brunswick, contained as much, make an aggregate of 50.- 
000 acres, and if the population bore the same proportion to its area as that 
of the Island, it would amount to 815,000. Hence it arises that the two 
continental Provinces, for want of due attention to the cultivation of their 
soil annually import breadstuffs, instead of exporting like their still poorly 
cultivated insular neighbour. 

Nova Scotia, with nearly one third more population appear not to have 
advanced in agricultural pursuits proportionately with this province. This 
is not owing to any inferiority in her soil or climate, but probably to her 
having paid greater attention to ship-building and the fisheries ; both of 
whi ch, but especially the latter, have till within these few years, been much 
neglected in New Brunswick. 

New Brunswick, in the growth of wheat, is not, perhaps to be compared 
with some of the far famed grain growing States of the American Union, 
or with some parts of Canada, but it is only for want of a more systematic 
attention to agriculture, that it does not produce its own bread. Still even 
in the growth of wheat the Province far exceeds several of the New Eng- 
land States, and others, in the production of barley, oats, buckwheat, pota- 
toes, butter and hay, as will be seen by the following tabular statement : 

10 



58 



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59 



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60 

It will be seen that New Brunswick exceeds in 
Wheat, 14 out of the 18 wheat growing States named in the table : 
Barley, 24 out of 30 barley do. 
Oats, ) 

Buckwheat, > The whole of those named. 
Potatoes, ) 
Butter, ) AU except Nova gcotia 

In the growth of potatoes, hay and oats, indeed, no State in the Ameri- 
can Union can enter the field of competition with this Province, in either 
weight, quality or quantity. Potatoes and oats find a ready sale in the mar- 
kets of the States, and now that the fiscal restrictions between these coun- 
tries are removed, a profitable trade will add a fresh stimulus to the agricul- 
turists of New Brunswick. 

Under the head of climate will be found a tabular statement of the aver- 
age times of sowing and reaping, planting and digging, the different kinds 
of grain and other products, as well as their average period of growth, — 
the maximum, minimum and average weights per bushel ; their average 
market prices, and indigenous plants. We shall not, therefore, repeat these 
particulars, but proceed to give some other tables which may be found use- 
ful. 

Average produce per Imperial acre. 
Bushels in 





New York. 


Ohio. 


Canada West. 


N. Brunswick. 


Wheat, 


14 


i&i 


12| 


19 


Barley, 


16 


24 


m 


28 


Oats, 


26 


33| 


24| 


34 


Buckwheat, 


14 


20J 


161 


33£ 


Rye, 


H 


16J 


111 


17 


Maize, 


25 


41i 


21| 


41 


Potatoes, 


90 


69 


84 


226 


Turnips, 


88 






456 


Hay, 


If tons. 


If tons. 




1} tons. 



The above table presents a comparative view, taken from Professor John- 
ston and other sources, of the average number of bushels to the imperial 
acre raised in New York, Ohio, Canada West, and New Brunswick. It 
will be observed that this Province outstrips all these places in growing the 
several articles above mentioned, especially in the production of potatoes 
and turnips, both of which are of the best quality. 



61 



Average of 


Butter and Cheese, and priee per 


lb., for the whole Province. 




1 cow — per week. For the season. 


Price per lb. 


Average. 


Butter, 
Cheese, 


5J lbs. 
11 " 


89J lbs. 
140 " 


9Jd. to Is. 
5d. to 8d. 


lOd. 
5Jd. 



Average prices of Beef, Mutton and Pork. 



Beef, 


2|d. 


to 5d. 


4d. 


7 


Mutton, 


2d. 


to4d. 


3d. 


> Averages. 


Pork, 


3d. 


to6d. 


4Jd. 


* 



Average prices of Flour, per barrel. 



Superfine Wheat. 
34s. 



Rye Flour. 
20s. 



Corn Meal. 
21s. 



Oatmeal, per 112 lbs. 
14s. 



Price of Hay, per ton. 



English hay, 

Marsh hay or broad leaf, 



From 40s. to 50s. 
11 20s. to 25s. 



45s. ; A 

22s. 6d. Avera S es - 



The following statistical 


summary 


is extracted from the 


census of 1851 : 


Acres of cleared land, 






643,954 


Persons engaged in agriculture, 




18,601 


Tons of hay, 






225,093 


Wheat, bushels, 






206,635 


Indian Corn, do., 






62,225 


Barley, do. , 


♦ 




74,300 


Buckwheat, do., 






689,004 


Oats, do., 






1,411,164 


Beans and peas, do., 






42,663 


Potatoes, do., 






2,792,394 


Turnips, do., 






539,803 


Other root crops, do., 






47,880 


Neat cattle, No., 






106,263 


Cows, 






50,955 


Butter, pounds, 






3,050,939 


Horses, 






22,044 


Sheep, 






168,038 


Swine, 






47,932 


Cloth, yards, 






622,287 



6* 



Maple sugar, pounds, 350,957 

Handlooms, 5,475 

Saw and grist mills, 845 

The gross value of the agricultural products contained in the 

foregoing summary, exclusive of farm stock, amounts to £1,550,000 

And at the present ratio of progression, the value of the same 
products in 1854 will be £2,000,000 

The several comparative and other statements, we have laid before our 
readers, will show to what an extent agriculture may be carried in this Pro- 
vince, where vast tracts of wilderness land yet remain untrodden by the 
foot of man ; where thousands of families from the over-populated districts 
of the mother country might, in place of remaining in poverty and wretch- 
edness, locate themselves, with every reasonable prospect of raising abun- 
dance of food, and of being otherwise rendered happy and comfortable. 

Professor Johnston, after comparing the weight, quality and quantity of 
New Brunswick grown grain, potatoes, turnips and hay, with those pro- 
duced in Genesee, Ontario and Niagara, in the State of New York, and in 
Ohio and Canada, proceeds as follows (page 77) : 

" On the whole, therefore, I think the result of this comparison of the 
actual productiveness of the soil of New Brunswick with that of other parts 
of North America, ought to be very satisfactory to the inhabitants of this 
Province, and is deserving of their serious consideration. So far as my 
knowledge of the intermediate country goes, I am induced to believe that 
the agricultural capabilities of New York are at least equal to those of any 
of the north-eastern States. If New Brunswick exceed New York in pro- 
ductiveness, it ought also to exceed all the States of New England. 

"And if it will in this respect bear a favorable comparison even with 
Ohio and with Upper Canada, it becomes doubtful how far, on the whole, 
the other Western States are superior to it. 

"At all events, there appears to me to be sufficient reason, until more 
satisfactory information is obtained, for the agricultural population of New 
Brunswick to remain contented with the capabilities of the soil they pos- 
sess, and to give themselves up strenuously to the developement of its la- 
tent resources, rather than to forsake it for other parts of Northern or West- 
tern America, which appear incapable of yielding larger crops than they 
can easily reap at home." 

The Professor arrived in this Province at a period when the commerce of 
the country lay prostrate ; colonial ships low in the market ; wheat much 
injured by insects ; potatoes, of which large quantities were raised, almost 
entirely destroyed ; hence murmuring arose, and many did move to " North- 
ern and Western America," as well as to other places. The chief part of 
them have since returned, satisfied by experience that, in leaving New 
Brunswick, they had exchanged, in many instances, a healthy for an un- 
healthy climate ; that the trade of other nations was also paralyzed and de- 
pressed ; and that the blight had extended its electric ravages over the po- 
tatoes of other countries as well as those of the Province they had tempo- 
rarily abandoned. It would be almost impossible now to persuade those 
who have experienced the vicissitudes of migration, to underrate their na- 
tive Province, or to say that its inhabitants labor harder than those of other 
countries. On the contrary, all testify that the people of New Brunswick 
know nothing of hard work, compared with those of the American Union, 



63 

in many parts of which the intermission between the periods for perform- 
ing labor is very short, while the work is extremely hard — and that under 
an intensity of heat, which is found injurious to health, and in many in- 
stances destructive to life. 

The effects of frost on the soil of this Province are no drawback to the 
farming operations of the country in general. The only bad results known 
to follow, arise from the alternate frosts and thaws which sometimes take 
place during the winter season, and which icinter-kill (as it is termed) the 
grass on heavy and wet soils. These, however, are only incidental and oc- 
casional, and the injury can in a great measure be prevented or lessened by 
proper drainage and spring rolling. The influence of the winter on raising 
live stock depends on the quality as well as the quantity of food adminis- 
tered, as well as on the housing If cattle are well fed, and kept in warm 
barns, no injurious effects are known to follow. Warm houseing diminish- 
es proportionably to the quantity of food otherwise required. To these par- 
ticulars the New Brunswick farmer, if he wishes to do justice to himself 
and to the Province, should give additional attention. 

Professor Johnston has not lost sight of these points in the able report 
from which we have so largely quoted. After receiving the opinions of 
thirty- two of the practical farmers of the Province, to whom he addressed 
circulars touching these and other subjects connected with its agriculture, 
he says, with regard to the effects of frost on ploughed land : — "Its effects 
on ploughed land are favorable." His conclusion, derived from the opini- 
ons of twenty-two farmers, as to the operation of frost on grass lands, al- 
though some of these opinions are conflicting, is: — "Its effects on grass 
lands are often unfavorable." As to the effect of the winter on stock, he 
received the opinion of thirty practical farmers, the principal part of which 
go to shew the necessity of good feeding and warm houses. In concluding 
this part of the subject, (page 128) he says : 

" The substance of the reasonable results, to which this review of the 
relations of the New Brunswick climate to the operations and profits of the 
farmer leads, may be expressed in this summary : 

"1st. That the length of the winter limits very mucli the period for 
out-door operations ; but that it also opens and makes friable the soil to such 
a degree, that the same labor of horse or man expended upon it goes much 
farther than in the mother country ; and that the number of dry working 
days is also greater in proportion than it is in Great Britain and Ireland. 
That the rapidity with which crops come to maturity, leaves a considerable 
period for ploughing and other out- door work, both before the seed is sown 
and after the crops are reaped ; and that by diligent attention and method, 
and by the use of animals which have quick step, and of workmen who 
know the value of time, much more land might be kept in arable culture, 
with the same force, than is now done. 

" 2nd. That though a large provision of winter food is required to main- 
tain the stock during so many months, yet, that by the saving of manure 
upon farms of all kinds, even the newest, applying it to the grass land in 
spring, and by the more extended cultivation of green crops, this food may 
be raised more easily than heretofore, and from a much smaller proportion 
of the cleared land of the farm. From this would be derived also the inci- 
dental advantage, that a better feeding of the stock and the production of 
more manure would insure the production of better beef and mutton, of a 
greater weight of butter and cheese, and of heavier harvests of grain. 



64 

" 3rd, That although to many it appears difficult to find profitable em- 
ployment in winter for the members of the farmer's family, or for his paid 
servants, yet that more profit than is generally supposed may be derived 
from labor expended in the collection and saving of manure, in the prepara- 
tion of composts, and in the proper tending of cattle, especially in the pro- 
per adjustment in time, kind, quantity and mode of preparation of the food 
with which they are fed. The dressing of fleece, hemp and wool are also 
means of winter employment, one or other of which in most districts may 
be made profitably available. 

This summary of the question ought to be satisfactory at least to the New 
Brunswick farmer." 

Employment of Labor. There are numerous branches of employment 
to which the attention of the farmer's household may be profitably directed 
during the winter season, the principal of which we will enumerate : 

The feeding and taking care of his live stock, and the various ways of 
preparing their food, should occupy a large portion of his attention. 

Threshing and milling his grain. 

To some extent, the collection and preparation of composts. 

Dressing of flax, hemp and wool. 

Marketing produce. 

Collecting of firewood, and chopping, splitting and housing it for summer 
and autumn use. 

Procuring fencing materials. 

The winter is the best season for making what is sometimes called — " war 
upon the wilderness." This is done by first chopping all the undergrowth 
and fallen timber, the latter being cut into logs of ten or twelve feet in 
length ; the standing timber is then felled and served in a similar manner. 
It may be observed that the larger the timber, the shorter the logs require 
to be chopt, as the lighter the timber is to handle, the more it facilitates 
the piling, clearing and burning off the rubbish for a spring crop. 

It is true that farming and lumbering operations should not generally be 
united in the same*person, inasmuch as the mixing these branches of indus- 
try only tends to destroy the application of the maxim that " what is worth 
doing at all is worth doing well." Still farmers residing in the vicinity of 
saw mills could often profitably devote a portion of the winter season to the 
collecting logs, and thus securing a sufficient quantity of lumber for fencing, 
building and other farming purposes. 

Whatever means will lessen labor, and at the same time increase the 
amount of work done on a farm, must, in an economical point of view, 
be important to the farming operations of the country. The use of both 
horses and oxen is required in the proper management of a farm ; oxen can 
be more advantageously employed in ploughing, harrowing, and otherwise 
preparing new lands incumbered by stones and roots of trees, especially the 
latter, to which all land in this country recently broken up is subject ; while 
horses, as they have a more quick step, can be employed with more profit 
in ploughing, harrowing, carting, and performing other operations required 
on a farm in a more improved state of cultivation. 

Recommendations. A better attention to the following recommendations 
would perhaps much promote the agricultural prosperity of the Province, 
viz: 

Warm barns, and better attention to the feeding stock, both as to quanti- 
ty and quality. 



65 

Spring rolling, as soon as the frost leaves the ground, especially on mea- 
dow land. 

Planting trees and shrubs along the boundaries of fields, in order to shel- 
ter both the stock and crops from winds and storms. 

A better attention to autumn ploughing, and other preparations for the 
spring crop. 

Deeper ploughing, and a better clearing the land from stones, roots of 
stumps, and weeds. 

Better care of liquid and other manures. 

Rotation of crops ; the present system of successive cropping is exhaust- 
ing to the soil, and injurious to the quality, as well as quantity of the mat- 
ter produced. 

A more extensive cultivation of green crops. 

Not allowing the grain to become too ripe before it is cut. 

A better and more varied assortment of agricultural implements. 

Attention to the improvement of the breed of stock, especially sheep and 
swine. 

The more extensive use of lime as a manure. 

Almost every farm in the Province might be made self-manuring without 
keeping stock for that purpose. There is hardly any one that does not possess 
a variety of soils, such as sand, loam, clay and bog or swamp mud, besides 
other alluvial deposits ; on the sea board, which bounds two- thirds of the Pro- 
vince, and on the numerous rivers, there are extensive deposits of marine allu- 
vium, which, if mixed with lime and some of the upland soils, would make the 
best possible manure. This is a subject which requires the utmost atten- 
tion. 

The introduction of a certain amount of agricultural instruction into the 
elementary and other schools, andthe circulation of works on practical and 
scientific agriculture among the inhabitants of the Province, would be every 
way desirable. 

All stock, both in spring and autumn, should be kept off the meadow 
land ; the practice of allowing cattle, sheep and swine to pasture on land 
of this description is very injurious to the ensuing year's crop, and when it 
is thus fed off in the autumn, the grass roots are exposed to the winter 
frosts, besides which the land is deprived of an amount of food that would 
otherwise arise, by leaving the autumn vegetation to rot on the ground. 

Experience has proved, and science confirms the fact, that when grain is 
sown year after year, for a number of successive years, on the same soil, it not 
only impoverishes the land, but becomes inferior both in quality and quan- 
tity ; thus it has been found beneficial to change the seed raised in the 
southern part of the Province for that grown in the northern, and vice 
versa, both being thus rendered more productive. A more lasting effect 
would probably follow if a similar exchange could be effected with other 
parts of this continent, and even with more distant countries ; but as al- 
most every farm contains a variety of soils, it is in the power of the farmer 
to effect a partial exchange from high to low lands, and again reversing the 
plan in alternate years. 

As paid labor may at any time be profitably employed, when skilfully 
and economically brought to bear on the cultivation of land, and more es- 
pecially at present, when ship-building, lumbering and railways, and other 
branches of industry, ar8 making such rapid progress, opening new markets 
for agricultural produce, every farmer should apply himself with energy to 
11 



66 

the introduction of a more extensive and systematic cultivation of the rich 
soils with which the Province abounds. 

In addition to the facilities afforded to the production of grain and roots, 
it is found that from the great variety of indigenous vegetation produced in 
the Province, no country on this continent presents so wide and luxuriant 
a field for summer pasturage. Cattle are turned out in the spring to the 
woods and wild meadows so frequently met with, where they remain, with- 
out cost to their owners, till autumn ; by which time they are often fit for 
the butcher, or at all events in good order for wintering. Strangers to the 
country may perhaps apprehend some danger to the cattle from the attacks 
of bears, but the instances of any live stock being destroyed by wild ani- 
mals are extremely rare, and the settlers even in the wildest districts think 
it an uncommon oscurrence to suffer from their depredations. There is, 
however, a bounty offered for the destruction of bears, and as the wilder- 
ness becomes more cleared, such cases will be still more unfrequent. As 
to bears attacking man, we have heard only of two or three instances for a 
great number of years, and those under peculiar circumstances. No fears 
used therefore be entertained on this subject. 

The publication in this, or the adjacent Province of Nova Scotia, of a 
cheap periodical, devoted chiefly to agriculture, would be of incalculable 
benefit. It should receive legislative aid from both Provinces ; and a model 
farm connected with the editorship would be very desirable. The officers of 
the various agricultural societies might become contributors, by supplying all 
such information as might fall within their reach. Such a periodical, es- 
tablished near the common boundary of these two Provinces, would radhte 
both east and west, and even to Prince Edward's Island and Canada, and 
would thus disseminate knowledge on these subjects, which are so essential 
to the agricultural health of all British North America. 

Before dismissing this subject, we may be allowed to make a few obser- 
vations on an inclination too often evinced to cast a slur on the occupation 
of the farmer, as if it were something low and dishonorable, thus stamping 
the most healthy and praiseworthy pursuit with disrespect, because some 
of those who follow it may be uneducated, and may not avail themselves of 
the advantages thrown in their way for the education of their children. If 
we allow gradations in the different callings or employments, that of agri- 
culture ought to stand high, and it cannot be denied that, as a body, the 
agriculturalists are the most moral and intellectual class of laborers in this 
Province. Still there is much room for improvement ; there is certainly, 
according to the means generally at command, a great neglect of education ; 
and if farmers are desirous of seeing their business become respected, they 
must make moral and intellectual education a primary work. 

Agriculture, in the aggregate, is now very properly stampt with the ap- 
pellation of a science, and it engages the attention of scientific men of the 
highest rank. The time3 of sowing, planting, reaping and digging, the 
manner of ploughing and harrowing, the composition, mixing and applica- 
tion of manures, the succession of crops, the breed and raising of stock, and 
numerous other necessary operations of the agriculturists, are no longer mat- 
ters of chance, but are all regulated by well defined system and chemical sci- 
ence ; so that in all countries where agriculture is carried on in accordance 
with the important character of the pursuit, these scientific principles are 
becoming an essential part of a farmer's education. 

It would be difficult to name any country whose people possess a greater 



67 

aptitude to learn, to imitate, and to execute, than the inhabitants of New 
Brunswick ; and as the institutions and organizations of society promote 
the exercise of these facilities, all that is required in order to insure success 
is attention and effort. 

And turning to the moral and religious, as well as the intellectual char- 
acter of the science itself, who, except the astronomer, has better opportu- 
nities of learning " wisdom's ways " than the tiller of the soil? What 
pursuit presents the mind with such varieties of scenery ? or what occupa- 
tion is calculated to afford such an increased intimacy with the composition 
of the earth, the beauties and progress of germination and vegetation, and 
the movements in the animal kingdom ? Surely the undevout agricultu- 
rist, the man who does not learn to lift his eyes from nature to nature's 
God, must be a madman. 

Agricultural Societies have been established in this Province for nearly 
twenty years, and large amounts have been annually drawn from the Pro- 
vincial funds in aid of their operations. These societies have so much in- 
creased of late, that nearly every county in the Province has one, and some 
have three or four of these organizations. While it is generally admitted 
that they are productive of much good, yet it is no less manifest that there 
is great apathy and want of public spirit on this point. Many are of opi- 
nion that each individual farmer can do and does as much for the benefit of 
this important branch of industry as in his incorporated incapacity. Noth- 
ing can be more fallacious than this attempt at argument. Setting aside 
the advantages of union in the purchase of seeds, &c, and of mutual ex- 
perience, farmers ought to consider that almost all the improvements hi- 
therto introduced, not only in their stock and feeding, but in the knowledge 
they themselves may individually have acquired, have been derived either 
directly or indirectly from such institutions. 

The only forcible objections we have yet heard urged against these socie- 
ties are, that they sometimes appropriate large sums in introducing horses 
better adapted for the race course than for the plough or for general pur- 
poses ; and the awarding premiums to a few only of the best stock, to the 
exclusion of the many. It is contended that the rich only take these 
premiums, as the poorer portion of the society are not able to compete for 
them, and if they do make the attempt, it is only by over-feeding part of 
their stock, to the injury of the remainder. We think that these objec- 
tions, which are frequently made, are much over-balanced by the examples 
afforded of improved cultivation, the introduction of seeds and stock, which 
ultimately find their ways to all, and other benefits, which, directly or in- 
directly, have been found to result from these societies. Besides, the princi- 
ples from whence these defects, if defects they are, arise, are not necessary 
to these organizations ; and premiums may be, and generally are, awarded 
upon many articles of domestic manufacture, in which the poorer members 
may easily participate ; and they may derive their full share of advantage, 
not only from the new or improved breeds of cattle and the introduction of 
better systems of cultivation, but from the union of mind with mind, and 
the collective information that may thus be brought to bear on this first and 
most honorable pursuit. The details connected with these institutions may 
be so arranged, and encouragement in every branch be so awarded, as to 
expend the Provincial allowance to the greatest possible advantage of the 
country, and to afford to each member an ample return for the almost nomi- 
nal contribution of five shillings, for which he is called on as the price of 



68 

his admission to the society. It should always be remembered that they 
are intended for the encouragement of the practical farmer, and not of the 
amateur agriculturalist. 

The amount annually appropriated by the Province to agricultural socie- 
ties, in aid of individual subscriptions, is about £2500. This sum is di- 
vided among nearly forty societies, in proportion to the amount subscribed 
by each. The admission fee was formerly ten shillings annually, but by an 
act recently passed, a copy of which is given below, the minimum of sub- 
scription is only five shillings, or what is in effect the same — there must be 
sixty members, with a fund of at least fifteen pounds. The result of this 
reduction will no doubt be to increase the number of members, and thus 
diffuse more widely the advantages of these institutions. Under the for- 
mer act, any number of persons could form a society, and this might, no 
doubt, sometimes give rise to abuses. It is also provided that any county 
may draw on the public grant to the amount of £200, so that £2000 may 
be expended from the funds of the Province for the promotion of agricul- 
ture. 

Cap. XXII. 

" An Act for the encouragement of Agriculture — passed 1st May, 1854. 
Be it enacted by the Lieutenant Governor, Legislative Council, and As- 
sembly, as follows : 

1. Whenever sixty persons or more shall subscribe and pay in sums of 
not less than five shillings each, to be applied for the improvement of agri- 
culture and domestic manufactures, and shall subscribe the Declaration (A.) 
in the schedule, and shall cause a copy of the same to be filed in the office 
of the Provincial Secretary, they shall thereupon become a body corporate 
by such a name as they shall designate, with all the privileges and obliga- 
tions incident to corporations by law ; but such privileges shall continue so 
long only as there are sixty members or more, who shall annually raise and 
pay, as aforesaid, the sum of fifteen pounds for the improvement of agri- 
culture. 

2. The object of such agricultural societies shall be to encourage and 
promote the introduction of improved stock, seeds, roots, implements, me- 
thods of culture, and improvement in farm buildings and domestic manufac- 
tories ; to hold shows and exhibitions, and to give premiums for excellence, 
and to diffuse information concerning agricultural subjects. 

3. When an agricultural society shall be so constituted in any coun- 
ty, such society shall be entitled to draw annually from the Provincial Trea- 
sury, by warrant in favor of the President of such society, treble the amount 
of the subscriptions so raised and paid as aforesaid ; but no county society 
shall be entitled to draw more than one hundred and fifty pounds from the 
Provincial Treasury in any one year. 

4. In counties where more than one agricultural society exists, the Go- 
vernment allowance shall be given on the principle in section three, not ex- 
ceeding for any county the sum of two hundred pounds in any one year, 
and the same shall be apportioned among such district societies, in a suita- 
ble proportion to the amount of the subscriptions raised and paid by each 
society for the year for which the bounty shall be claimed, by warrant, in 
favor of the President of the respective societies ; no parish to have more 
than one society, and no county to have more than four societies, under the 
provisions of this chapter. 



69 

5. In the disposal of seeds, stock, implements, or other property im- 
ported by any such society, such articles shall not be sold for less than the 
true costs and charges of the same, unless the same shall be sold at public 
auction, of which at least ten days ; notice shall be previously given by pub- 
lic advertisement, at which all persons present shall have a right to bid and 
compete, whether members of the society or not, 

6. Every agricultural society shall elect such officers and make such 
bye-laws for their guidance as to them shall seem best, for promoting agri- 
culture, according to the true intent of this chapter. Each society shall 
file in the office of the Provincial Secretary a copy of its bye-laws. 

7. The amount of premiums to be awarded by each society in any one 
year shall not exceed the amount of the local subscriptions and donations of 
the society ; the allowance for salaries shall not exceed five per cent, of the 
local subscriptions, donations, and Provincial allowance yearly. 

8. It shall be the duty of the treasurer of such society to prepare a de- 
tailed statement of the amount of income and expenditure of the society 
for the year past, which account shall be duly credited and approved by 
three members of the society, and the same shall be sworn to (B.) by the 
treasurer. 

9. It shall be the duty of each society to transmit to the Provincial 
Secretary's office, on or before the twenty-fifth day of January in each year, 
a report of its operations for the past year, together with an estimate of the 
actual state of the land, crops, implements, stock, culture, and domestic 
manufactures in the district or county, as nearly in the form (C.) as may 
be. 

10. If any society shall neglect to render its annual account and report, 
as provided by Section nine, it shall forfeit its claim to the legislative bounty 
for the year next succeeding. 

11. Every agricultural society, by its officers, is hereby authorized to 
define bounds for pens and yards, and passages to and from the same, for 
cattle shows and exhibitions, and also for ploughing matches ; and no per- 
son shall be permitted to infringe on such bounds unless in conformity with 
the rules of the society, without the sanction of one of the officers of the 
society present : but no land shall be so occupied without the consent of the 
owner, nor shall any public highway be so occupied as to obstruct the pub- 
lic use thereof. 

12. Any person, after notice thereof, infringing any of the regulations 
of any such society by entering within the bounds fixed, shall forfeit ten 
shillings, to be recovered on the complaint of any officer of the society, and 
applied to the use of the county. 

13. All existing agricultural societies, in order to be entitled to the 
Provincial bounty, must consist of at least sixty members, and raise annual- 
ly at least fifteen pounds for the encouragement of agriculture, as provided 
in Section one. 

14. The provisions of this act shall extend to all existing agricultural 
corporations and societies, but shall not interfere with any property or rights 
conferred upon or acquired by any such corporation or society. 

(A.) 

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, agree to form ourselves into a 
society, under the provisions of the Act of Assembly, entitled " An Act 
for the encouragement of Agriculture," to be called "The Agri- 



70 



cultural Society" ; and we severally agree to pay to the treasurer of such 
society, towards the funds thereof, the sums set opposite to our respective 
names, as our first year's subscription thereto. 



Names of Subscribers. 


Sums subscribed. 


A. B. 
CD. 
E. F. 









A. B„ Treasurer of the 



(B.) 

Agricultural Society, maketh oath and 



saith, that the foregoing or annexed account contains a just and true state- 
ment of the income and expenditure of the said society, from the 
day of last till the day of ; that the several sums 

therein specified were actually received and paid by him for the purposes 
therein set forth, and that the same shews the true state of the funds of the 
said society at the time the said account was balanced and credited. 



Sworn to before me, the day of 



1855. 



(C.) 



Season past — character of. 
Soils of district — character of. 
Crops of district — principal. 
Land cleared during the past sea- 
son — estimate of. 
Rotation of crops in district — usu-« 

al. 
Wheat — usual average produce per 
acre. 

Average for past season. 

Diseases. 

Remedies^suggested. 

Price per bushel. 

Best varieties. 
Corn — same as Wheat. 
Oats — do. do. 
Rye and Barley , Beans and Peas 

— do. do. 
Buckwheat, Millet — do. do. 
Grass, Hay. 

Names of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Directors, 
members, Fairs in year, and list of premiums. 
Certified account. 

Balance from previous year. ] 

Subscriptions of year past. ! t 

Provincial grant for year past. ( 

Other assets. J 



Clover and Timothy Seeds. 
Root Cropts — Potatoes. 

Turnips. 

Marigolds. 

Fruit. 

Sugar — Maple. 

Honey — Bees. 

Breeds of Cattle. 

Dairy Products. 

Sheep and Wool. 

Pigs and Pork. 

Horses — breeds. 

Poultry — breeds. 

Implements and Machinery. 

Manures. 

Farm Buildings and shelter for 

stock. 
Proposals for improvement or other 

remarks. 



1 



71 

Premiums. 
Seeds imported. 
Implements. } Expenditure. 

Stock. i 

Charges of management. j 

Account current with Treasurer." 

It is necessary for all agricultural societies to have rules and regulations, 
or bye-laws^ for their guidance ; but, as these bye-laws may differ among 
different societies, it would be difficult to draw up such a code as would pro- 
bably be adopted by all ; we therefore merely lay down a brief outline, the 
substance of which all societies might with propriety adopt : 

1. The name by which the society is to be designated. 

2. The number and duties of officers, and how and when to be elected. 

3. The times at which meetings are to be held. 

4. The kinds of seed and farm stock to be purchased, and how and by 
whom to be distributed. 

5. As to what kinds of stock, and articles of domestic manufactory, are 
premiums to be awarded. 

6. Rules and regulations for competition are also necessary. 

7. Rules shewing how the society intends to dispose of its funds, and 
also rules for order in the government of its meetings. 

It will be observed that all agricultural societies, complying with the 
above Act of Assembly, becomes incorporated, and may sue and be sued, 
and enjoy all the other privileges of corporate bodies. 

ROADS. 

The facilities for internal communication have always been esteemed one 
of the most essential means for developing the resources of a country ; and 
this is strongly exemplified by the effects invariably produced from the 
opening a new road throughout the Province, in extending settlements and 
promoting cultivation. 

It must be admitted that, in the infancy of every country, expedients 
precede system ; and in no one department of its progress is this more 
manifest than in the location of its roads. The moral and intellectual ad- 
vances of the inhabitants of a country are strongly indicated by the state 
of their means of communication, for if the roads remain stationary, so 
generally do the people, and vice versa. 

In the early settlement of New Brunswick, the first road was along the 
sandy and muddy sea shore, where most of the first settlements were form- 
ed. As population increased, this precarious and uncertain pathway was 
abandoned, and a road, or rather a track, was constructed along the banks, 
where the traveller might pass without being delayed by tides and storms. 
In process of time, the advance of cultivation, and, in many cases, the ra- 
vages of fire, destroyed the overhanging trees, whose roots had prevented 
the encroachments of the sea ; the imperfect road gave way to the action 
of the waves, and it was found necessary to remove it back as the sea ad- 
vanced. But when settlements became more numerous, and extended fur- 
ther inland, this system of road making, if it deserved the name, was abnn- 
doned, aud roads were laid out from one place to another, taking almost 
every man's house in its way, as best suited the convenience of individuals. 
The mail road from Halifax to Saint John, though it has undergone many 



72 

improvements, still presents indications of having been originally formed 
upon this system of engineering, peculiar to the early settlers of these Pro- 
vinces ; and so general and extensive did it become, before the present more 
improved system was adopted, that however inconvenient the old lines of 
road were found, it was difficult and almost impossible to abandon them, 
more especially taking into account their extent, quality, and the large 
amount of money expended upon them, and the convenience and private in- 
terests of the settlers on their sides. Thus the present partial system of 
straightening and improving roads will have to continue until the old and 
costly ground work becomes abandoned. 

In order to shew that the Colony has not been deficient in the improve- 
ment of its roads, according to its means and population, it will be neces- 
sary to refer to the state of England and Scotland about eighty years ago, 
as given us by Dr. Lardner, in his work upon railways. He says : — As 
recently as 1750, " it is recorded that the carrier between Selkirk and 
Edinburgh, a distance of thirty-eight miles, required a fortnight for his 
journey going and returning. In the year 1678, a contract was made to 
establish a coach for passengers between Edinburgh and Glasgow, a distance 
of forty-four miles. This coach was drawn by six horses, and the journey 
between the two places, to and fro, was completed in six days. Even so 
recently as the year 1750, the stage-coach from Edinburgh to Glasgow took 
thirty-six hours to make the journey." 

In this Province, in 1854, the stage-coach, drawn by only two horses, 
performs the same distance in thirty hours' less time. 

Again, the Doctor says : — " In the year 1763, there was but one stage- 
coach between Edinburgh and London. This started once a month from 
each of these cities ; it took a fortnight to perform the journey." And, 
with reference to the number of passengers conveyed in a given time be- 
tween the English and Scotch capitals, the same author tells us that, "in 
1763 the number of passengers conveyed by the coaches between London 
and Edinburgh, could not have exceeded about twenty-five monthly ) and 
by all means of conveyance did not exceed fifty." 

In further reference to the state of the roads in Great Britain, the Doc- 
tor informs us that " Arthur Young, (an undoubted authority) who tra- 
velled in Lancashire about the year 1770, has left us, in his tour, the fol- 
lowing account of the state of the roads at that time : ' I know not ' (he 
says) ' in the whole range of language, terms sufficiently expressive to des- 
cribe this infernal road. Let me most seriously caution all travellers, who 
may accidentally propose to travel this terrible country, to avoid it as they 
would the devil ; for a thousand to one they break their necks or their limbs 
by overthrows or breakings down. They will here meet with ruts, which I 
actually measured four feet deep, and floating with mud, only from a wet 
summer. What therefore must it be after a winter ? The only mending 
it receives is tumbling in some loose stones, which serve no other purpose 
than jolting a carriage in the most intolerable manner. These are not 
merely opinions but tacts, for I actually passed three carts broken down in 
these eighteen miles of execrable memory.'" "And again," he says, 
(speaking of a turnpike road near Warrington, now superseded by the Grand 
Junction Railway) : ' This is a paved road, moat infamously bad. Any 
person would imagine the people of this country had made it with a view to 
immediate destruction, for the breadth is only sufficient for one carriage ; 
consequently it is cut at once into ruts ; and you may easily conceive what 



73 

a break-down, dislocating road ruts cut through a pavement must be. 1 
Nor was the state of the roads in other parts of the north of England better. 
He says of a road near Newcastle, now superseded by railway : ' A more 
dreadful road cannot be imagined ; I was obliged to hire two men at one 
place to support my chaise from overturning. Let me persuade all travel- 
lers to avoid this terrible country, which must either dislocate their bones 
with broken pavements, or bury them in muddy sand. It is only bad ma- 
nagement that can occasion such very miserable roads in a country so abound- 
ing with towns, trade, and manufactures.' 

" Now, it so happens that the precise ground over which Mr. Young tra- 
velled in this manner less than eighty years ago, is at present literally reti- 
culated with railways, upon which tens of thousands of passengers are daily 
transported, at a speed ranging from thirty to fifty miles an hour, in carri- 
ages affording no more inconvenience or discomfort than Mr. Young suffer- 
ed in 1770, when reposing in his drawing room in his arm chair. 

"Until the close of the last century, the internal transport of goods in 
England was performed by waggons ; and was not only intolerably slow, but 
so expensive as to exclude every object except manufactured articles, and 
such as, being of light weight and small bulk in proportion to their value, 
could allow of a high rate of transport. 5 ' After shewing the cost per mile 
of conveying merchandize by the ton, Dr. Lardner proceeds : — " But this 
is not all : the wagon transport formerly practised was limited to a speed 
which, in its most improved state, did not exceed twenty-four miles a day." 

To an inhabitant of the Province it is scarcely requisite to contrast the 
present state of its roads with those Mr. Young has so emphatically des- 
cribed ; his own experience will sufficiently prove their superiority. To a 
stranger it will only be necessary to say that there is scarcely a bye-road 
in the country on which, during the summer months, an English stage-coach 
could not be driven with ease and safety. In the winter, the climate com- 
pels the use of a different mode of transport, a description of which in this 
place may not be unacceptable. A frame work is constructed, with due re- 
gard to lightness and strength, supported by two runners, turned up in front 
like skates, and shod with iron or steel — the harder the material the better, 
— upon -which is placed a box or carriage. These vehicles receive the names 
of sleds, sleighs, pungs, coaches, &c., according to the peculiarities of their 
construction : are easily drawn, and afford, in consequence of the centre of 
gravity being comparatively low, a very safe and comfortable mode of con- 
veyance. 

From these statements, it will be apparent that New Brunswick, although 
not more than seventy years a colony, by her more safe and speedy means 
of transit, incalculably outstrips the state of conveyance that existed be- 
tween the most important places in Great Britain, at the time referred to by 
Dr. Lardner ; and it is a question if the common or parish roads of that 
island are at this day more than thirty years in advance of this Province. 
When a comparison is instituted between the present state of the roads, and 
what they were within the memory of hundreds of its inhabitants, when 
canoes in the summer, and the shoulders of the settlers during the winter, 
were the only means by which articles were conveyed ; and when even the 
mails, then but few and far between, were carried in the same manner, the 
difference cannot fail to be most striking. Almost every settlement contains 
historians who delight to inform travellers of these facts. It must, how- 
ever, be acknowledged, notwithstanding the safe and comparatively speedy 
12 



74 

manner in which the mailg, travellers and goods are now transported from 
place to place, that great improvements might be introduced, especially as 
to comfort, into the winter system of conveyance in this, as well as in the 
sister Provinces. 

In further illustration of the efficient state of the roads in this Province, 
it may be observed that the mail coach, which travels three times a week 
between the cities of Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and Saint John, in New 
Brunswick, a distance of 260 miles, performs the journey, except for a 
short time in the spring and autumn, in forty-five hours, including all stop- 
pages and delays caused by the delivery of mail bags among the numerous 
villages along the road. The stage coach, which runs daily during the win- 
ter between Saint John and Fredericton, a distance, by the Nerepis road, 
of 65^ miles, completes its journey in eight hours. During the summer, 
not less than from eight to ten steamers ply on the St. John river between 
these two places, leaving each place every morning and evening. The trip 
is eighty miles, and the upward voyage is made, when the freshet is not run- 
ning too strong, in eleven hours ; that downward in much less time. Israel 
D' Andrews, Esq., in his report to the American Senate, states that in 1851, 
not less than 50,000 persons took passage in the boats plying on the river, 
which were then less in number than at present. The passengers that tra- 
vel this way, in the present year, must far exceed that number. 

Nearly the whole external boundary of the Province is belted by good 
coach roads, and numerous cross roads are everywhere being extended into 
the interior, on which settlements, post offices, school houses and manufac- 
tories, are gradually established ; in fact, the Province is bidding fair to be- 
come a complete net- work of roads. 

The bridges of the eountry are not at all in keeping with its high roads. 
This arises from many causes : first, from the great extent of bridging re- 
quired ; second, frcm defective engineering ; and thirdly, from a want of 
an immediate supervision. When bridges get out of repair, or are swept 
away by freshets or storms, which is frequently the case, more especially 
with wooden bridges, they are seldom re-built until after the annual meet- 
ing of the Legislature. However, the whole bridge building system is now 
receiving the attention of the Government, and will, it is to be hoped, under- 
go a thorough revision, so that the bridges of the Province may be placed 
on a more safe and substantial footing. 

The roads are divided into two classes : great roads and bye-roads. 
The great roads are those upon which the principal mails are conveyed, 
and the greatest amount of travelling performed ; these roads receive a larger 
amount of legislative aid, according to their extent, than the bye-roads do. 
All the counties have more or less of the great roads passing through them, 
and therefore all partake of the benefits arising from an increased expendi- 
ture of the public monies, and the facilities afforded by improved roads. 
The bye roads diverge in every direction from the great roads ; they receive 
annual grants of money from the Legislature ; and both classes of roads, 
in addition to the Provincial endowments, are also partly repaired by the 
inhabitants of the districts through which they pass, livery resident in 
the Province is required by law to contribute his quota either in labor or 
money, at his option, towards the support of the roads near his residence. 
The sum required from each for this purpose is assessed by officers, denomi- 
nated Commissioners, three of which are annually elected by the people of 
each parish. The parishes are laid off into districts by these officers, each 



75 

district, generally, not exceeding two miles in length. The work is done, 
tinder the superintendence of a surveyor, at such a season as may best suit 
the convenience of the communities ; thus no inconvenience or hardship can 
arise to any individual from the performance of this duty, which amounts 
to no greater tax than the assisting to make a road to each person's proper- 
ty within the district. 

The yearly legislative grant varies according to the prosperous or adverse 
state of the Provincial revenues. The amounts thus appropriated for the 
year 1854, and the two preceding years, are as follows : 
In 1852, £33,000 

"1853, 35,822 Increase, £2,822 

"1854, £45,153 " 9,331 

These respective sums include the grants for the great and bye roads, and 
for the bridges throughout the Province, and are divided among the objects 
as necessity may require. 

A detailed description both of the great and bye roads throughout the 
Province will be found under the head of the respective counties through 
which they pass. 

The principal lines of road are traced in the map of roads, railways, &c. 

RAILWAYS. 

In the year 1830, the first Kailway was opened in England; in 1844, 
only fourteen years after this great era in the means of transit, the St. 
Andrews railroad, in New Brunswick, was commenced ; and although its pro- 
gress has been slow, yet that is easily accounted for by the general commer- 
cial depression, as well as by many other incidental causes. In 1848, the 
survey for one of the most gigantic plans of inter- colonial railways ever 
yet proposed —that from Halifax to Quebec— was entered upon. Various 
obstacles, arising from the different views of the several British North 
American Provinces and the Home Government, have, for a time, suspend- 
ed its progress. Originating from this survey, however, portions of a line, 
affording communication with the United States, and which will ultimately 
lead to the accomplishment of an inter-colonial connection, are now under 
execution. This line is known as the European and North American 
Railway. Operations have been commenced at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, 
with a view to reaching the New Brunswick boundary ; and from thence to 
the city of Saint John, the commercial emporium of New Brunswick. The 
distance, including a branch of six miles to the Gulf of St. Lawrence at 
Shediac, will be 255 miles from the Atlantic terminus at Halifax to Saint 
John. This line is intended to be produced, by the company incorporated 
in this Province, to the boundary of Maine, a further distance of seventy 
miles ; and from thence, by that State, to Portland, where a complete con- 
nection will be established with the American and Canadian railways. 

That portion of the road passing through Nova Scotia, with branches to 
jPictou, Windsor and Annapolis, was authorised, by an act passed in the 
last session of the Provincial Legislature, to be constructed by the Govern- 
nient, annually expending £200,000, until the whole shall be completed; 
in pursuance of which, contracts are now being entered into, and works, to 
some extent, have been commenced at Halifax, in the immediate neighbor- 
hood of which several miles of rails have been laid. As that sum will be 
sufficient to execute, am} set in operation, about twenty*eight miles pf the 



76 

trunk line, it will take more than four years to complete the road from Hali- 
fax to the boundary of New Brunswick ; and should the Government con- 
clude to expend a portion of the money on the branches at the same time, 
the completion of the main line will be protracted to a much longer period. 
The branches may be more cheaply constructed, with the exception of that 
to Pictou, on which the coal and other productions of that district will form 
an important item of transport, and render that line, in all probability, one 
of the most paying in that Province 

The portion of the great line traversing New Brunswick, from the Nova 
Scotia boundary, as far as the city of Saint John, being the property of the 
European and North American Railway Company, is under contract by 
those rich and enterprising capitalists, Messrs. Jackson, Peto. Brassey & 
Co., of England, who have undertaken, in connection with the Province, as 
a stockholder, to execute that part, together with the branch to Shediac, in 
four years, commencing in 1853, for 26,500 sterling per mile, the breadth 
of guage to be 5 feet 6 inches. 

The advantages accruing to this entire line are very numerous. Begin- 
ning at Halifax, one of the best and most spacious harbors in North Ameri- 
ca ; open at all seasons of the year — the nearest point to Europe, which 
must eventually, as time and distance become more essential objects in 
crossing the Atlantic, be the European terminus on the American conti- 
nent, — it passes through numerous and populous settlements in Nova Sco- 
tia for a distance of 125 miles, out of which, not less than ninety are high- 
ly fit for cultivation. In the remaining thirty-five miles, there are several 
fine vallies well suited for agricultural purposes. 

In passing through New Brunswick to the boundary of Maine, about two 
hundred miles, the road will traverse large settlements, and not less than 
150 miles of good land for the operation of the farmer. The remaining 50 
miles, like a portion of the line through Nova Scotia, afford numerous spots 
where well directed industry will receive ample remuneration ; and more 
especially, as the poorest lands on the line, in both Provinces, are nearest 
to the cities of Halifax and Saint John, where farmers have the advantage 
of the best markets for their produce. 

The mineral productions of both Provinces are abundant and valuable, 
and will therefore contribute, in no small degree, to the paying qualities of 
the line. Upon the whole, it is generally believed that this undertaking 
when completed, will amply repay its projectors. In addition to the lum- 
ber and timber, which is everywhere manufactured along its course, the 
fisheries will prove a large and important item of traffic ; manufactories 
will probably spring up, and all the resources of the Provinces will be more 
systematically opened up. The whole face of the country through which 
the traveller will pass is richly diversified, and cannot fail to arrest his at- 
tention. That portion of the line from the city of Saint John to Shediac, 
100 miles, is wholly cleared of its timber, and grading is commenced, and 
a portion of the rail laid near Shediac. at the Bend, and near the city of 
Saint John. 

The Province is indebted for this stage of its railway progress, and as 
far as it is traversed by this line, to the Hon. Edward B Chandler, who, 
in company with a delegate from Canada, held a conference with the British 
Government, with a view to obtaining imperial assistance to construct a rail- 
way through New Brunswick to Quebec. In consequence of some objec- 
tions taken by the Home Government to aid any line not passing through 



77 

or near to the centre of the Province, the mission entirely failed in its main 
object. Mr. Chandler, however, being fully apprised of the wishes of the 
inhabitants, was determined that, at almost any hazard, they should share 
in the advantages of railway transit with their American neighbors, as well 
as with their sister Province of Canada. With his usual skill and political 
tact, therefore, he entered into conditional arrangements with the before 
mentioned firm, and for his conduct on this mission he received the plau- 
dits of the Colonial Secretary, and the agreement was subsequently rati- 
fied by the Legislature of New Brunswick. 

St. Andrew's and Woodstock Railway. — This line, with an ultimate 
view of its extension to Quebec, is steadily progressing. After the first ten 
miles was completed, a contract was made for the construction of seventy 
miles more, which is now being executed ; the grading of twenty-five miles 
or upwards from St. Andrews was completed last autumn, and the cars are 
now running on the first section. The line is cleared and prepared for 
grading for a much greater distance. The company have a grant from the 
Provincial Government of a large tract of good land fit for settlement on 
each side of the line, which is estimated to contain 100,000 acres; the 
contractors take 10,000 acres of this land, at one pound sterling per acre, 
in part payment of the contract. The first eighty miles is being construct- 
ed in a good substantial manner, at a comparatively low cost, not exceeding 
£3000 per mile. This railway, as far as it has gone, (and of its speedy 
completion there can be no doubt) owes its existence to the indomitable 
energy, enterprise, and well directed exertions of the inhabitants of the 
county of Charlotte. 

Shediac and Miramichi Railway. — This line will form a continuation 
northerly, and is a branch of the European and North American Railway, 
or a part of the Halifax and Quebec line, if carried on. Departing from the 
former, between Shediac and the Bend, and taking a nearly direct course, it 
will cross the Shediac, Cocagne, Buctouche, Richibucto, and other rivers, near 
the head of the tide, and will open to view one of the finest and most ex- 
tensive tracts of arable land to be found in this section of the Province, be- 
sides forming a communication, at ail seasons of the year, with the rich, 
thriving and populous counties in its northern division. If this branch 
were in operation, it would not be long before an effort would be made by 
Canada. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to induce Great Britain to aid 
in the completion of the intermediate space of 200 miles between Mirami- 
chi and the River du Loup This, when executed, would connect itself 
with the grand trunk, and. through it, with the other Canadian railways ; 
and would thus form one of the most formidable bands that could be de- 
vised, for the consolidation of three extensive and valuable Provinces into 
one Colonial Empire, whose united voice would cause its just demands to 
be heard and respected. 

Railway from Saint John to Fredericton. — This line will run along 
the valley of the Saint John, within a short distance of the river. During 
the winter season, there would be considerable traffic for a railway, but it 
would be much lessened in summer, in consequence of the ready water com- 
munication afforded by steamers and other craft. A depot at Fredericton, 
the Provincial head quarters, would be the rallying point for a large extent 
of country. The iron and other minerals, reported to exist in that vicinity, 
would then be opened ; and these sources, with the increased trade of the 
city of Fredericton, and the surrounding country, would form large items 



210 miles. 


90 


<c 


70 


<< 


55 


(i 


425 miles. 


125 miles. 


23 


ti 


41 


n 


74 


cr 



78 

in its paying qualities. It is not, perhaps, likely that the line would yield 
a large profit at first, but, by its cheap, speedy and safe mode of transit, it 
would open up sources of wealth to which the hand of man has not yet 
been directed. 

Scale of Railways, in progress and in contemplation in Nexo Brunswick 

and Nova Scotia. 
New Brunsxoick Lines. 
European and North American Railway, (New Brunswick 

portion,) 
St. Andrews to Woodstock, 
Shediac to Miramichi, 
City of St. John to Fredericton, 

Total, 

Nova Scotia Lines. 

European and North American Railway, (Nova Scotia por- 
tion,) 
Cobequid Mountains to Pictou, 
Trunk line to Windsor, 
Windsor to Annapolis, 

Total, 263 miles. 

These lines of road will be found laid down, according to the surveys, in 
the map facing this article. 

ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. 

This Province, in common with older countries, has availed itself of the 
advantages arising from the Electric Telegraph, the most useful and truly 
wonderful invention of modern times. By its means, knowledge flies 
through the length and breadth of our land in the twinkling of an eye ; 
every city, town and village, for hundreds of miles around us, is thus 
placed in almost instantaneous communication with each other. Not an 
hour elapses after a Governor General of Canada opens his parliament, be- 
fore his speech is being put in print at Saint John or Halifax, 600 miles 
from the place of its birth. And no sooner does a steamer, which only left 
Liverpool nine days before, arrive in Halifax or New York, than not only 
the news of her arrival, but the affairs of Europe, are being spread, with 
lightning speed, over the entire North American continent. Such are the 
distance-annihilating properties of this modern mode of conveying intelli- 
gence ; and who would not dare to give publicity to the thought, in these 
days, of progress and discovery, that the time is at hand when, in place of 
the astonishingly short space of nine days now occupied by a steamer be- 
tween Britain and America, nine minutes may be nearer the time required 
by telegraph for the exchange of news between these widely separated coun- 
tries ? 

New Brunswick has fifteen offices, and 610 miles of wire in active opera- 
tion ; Nova Scotia possesses nineteen offices, and upwards of 800 miles of 
wire, extending in every direction through each Province ; and Prince Ed- 
ward Island has a submarine line (being, at the time of its construction, the 
third of the kind ever established in the world) from the eastern section of 



79 

New Brunswick to Cape Traverse, about ten miles ; it thence runs to Char- 
lottetown and other places on the island ; but this line is now unfortunately 
out of repair. A company is organized for its extension to East Cape, and 
from thence, by way of the north-east point of Cape Breton, and the island 
of St. Paul, about 150 miles, to Cape Kay, on the west coast of Newfound- 
land, or for effecting a communication with Newfoundland direct from Nova 
Scotia. The principal part of this distance will be submarine. The ulti- 
mate object of this line is to run along Newfoundland to St. John's, the 
capital of the island, where steamers will be on the watch for the packets 
from Britain, in order to obtain the news from Europe, which may thus be 
transmitted to all parts of America two days earlier than by the steamer 
running to New York. 

In these Provinces, new villages are continually springing up : the busi- 
ness of the old settled districts is daily imereasing ; and offices are multi- 
plying throughout the country. The stockholders generally receive from 
ten to twelve per cent., and sometimes even more, on the capital invested ; 
thus rendering the undertaking remunerative to the projectors, as well as 
highly beneficial to the districts through which the lines pass. 

The tariff of prices for communications on these lines, and those with 
which they are connected throughout the States, is moderate ; but we do 
not give it. as it is subject to frequent alterations and modifications. 

By a special arrangement between " the Associated Pre3S," composed of 
the editors of the various newspapers, and the telegraph companies, they 
receive the earliest intelligence from Europe in preference to all other com- 
munications. 

SHIP BUTLDING. 

This very important branch of colonial industry merits our best consider- 
ation. Although ship building, like lumbering, is subject, in a measure, to 
the fluctuations of the markets of Great Britain, yet it differs from that 
pursuit in having a wider field for its market. The supply of vessels for 
the seal and other fisheries of Newfoundland, for the transport of deals and 
lumber to Great Britain, and for the Labrador and other fisheries of the 
Provinces, together with the coasting trade between the colonies and the 
United States, affords employment for a large amount of tonnage. And if 
free trade in shipping were established with America, this Colony would 
find an increased demand for vessels, at much more remunerative prices, as 
they can be built cheaper in New Brunswick than in the Union. 

The sailing qualities of New Brunswick built vessels have not yet been 
exceeded. The far-famed Marco Polo is only one of the many fine ships 
constructed in the Province ; and the high state of perfection to which her 
artizan3 have brought this branch of business is certainly very creditable to 
them. The symmetry and strength of these vessels render them objects of 
attraction, both in Great Britain and America. In Mr. Andrews' report, 
before referred to, he speaks of the great improvement in model and finish 
of New Brunswick built ships that has taken place within a few years, and 
states that their value has thereby been greatly augmented in the English 
market. 

The interior of the Province is literally a net work of streams, thereby 
affording abundant facilities for the transportation of materials to the ship- 
yards. The descriptions of timber generally used are spruce, birch, maple, 
ash, oak, elm, beech and hacmatac. Ships built of the latter are the most 



80 

durable and safe ; they class for seven years, while those built of either of 
the other materials above enumerated, only class for three, or not higher 
than four years. Hacmatac is found in great abundance along the margins 
of lakes, rivers, meadows, swamps, and other alluvial lands ; the other kinds 
are met with plentifully in almost all parts of the Province. The value of 
new ships already built, and in course of construction during the year 1854, 
cannot fall much short of £500,000 currency. This branch of business 
has been much facilitated of late, especially as regards the insurance of ves- 
sels, by the appointment in each Province of an agent for Lloyds, the most 
eminent underwriting establishment in London, and indeed in the commer- 
cial world. 

New Brunswick possesses an extent of 850 miles of sea coast and na- 
vigable river communications, along the whole of which this branch of in- 
dustry can be pursued. Beginning at the boundary of Maine, the counties 
of Charlotte, St. John, AlVert, and Westmoreland, extending along the 
Bay of Fundy to the head of the Cumberland Basin, with their numerous 
estuaries, rivers and creeks, afford important facilities for the operations of 
the shipwright. On that portion of the several counties of Saint John, 
King's, Queen's, Sunbury and York, intersected by the river St. John, 
this business is also prosecuted ; as it is along the Kennebecasis, Belleisle, 
Washademoak, Grand Lake, Oromocto, Nashwaak, and other tributaries to 
this river. In addition to the advantages for ship building presented by the 
Petitcodiac river to the counties of Albert and Westmoreland, the latter 
county, together with Kent, Northumberland, Gloucester and Restigouche, 
have the whole range of coast from the Nova Scotia boundary, on the south- 
east side of Bay Verte, along the straits of Northumberland and Gulf of 
St. Lawrence, to the head of the Bay Chaleur. Along this extensive coast, 
besides the rivers Restigouche, Nipisiguit, Miramichi, Richibucto, Buc- 
touche and Cocagne, there are numerous rivers, bays and creeks on which 
vessels are built. The territory watered by the Restigouche and Nipisiguit, 
and their tributaries, affords the most abundant supplies of ship timber, of 
the very best descriptions. On the whole, this branch of provincial indus- 
try, so far as regards the extent to which it may hereafter be carried, may 
be almost said to be in its infancy. 

Table, exhibiting the number of vessels, and their gross tonnage, which 

have been built in New Brunsudck during the following years : 

Year3. Number of Ships. Gross tonnage. 

1850 86 30,361 

1851 101 50,948 

1852 103 58,399 

1853 121 71,428 

The number of vessels, and amount of tonnage, built in the Province 
during the year 1854, must far exceed that of any previous year. This is 
fully evident from the fact that the gross tonnage of the ships built along 
the north-eastern coast, including the county of Westmoreland, in this year, 
does not fall short of 43,000 tons ; and they are principally large class 
vessels. This estimate is exclusive of the ships built in the counties of Al- 
bert, Saint John, King's, Queens, Sunbury, York and Charlotte. The 
value of vessels built in 1853 is worth at least £700,000 currency. 



81 



LUMBERING. 



The operations of the Lumberer are chiefly carried on along the shores 
and on the banks of the numerous rivers of the Province. Large parties 
are annually fitted out, in the autumn, by the Capitalists, into whose hands 
in consequence of the large amount of supplies required, this business has 
generally fallen. The number of men employed depends upon the apparent 
demand for the products of the forest, and this demand varies with the fluc- 
tuation of the British markets. This branch of business has recently been 
highly remunerative. . 

Almost all the rivers and creeks in the Province present facilities for 
lumbering operations, but they are carried on to the greatest extent on the 
St. John, the Miramichi, the rivers falling into the Bay of Chaleur and 
their tributories. The largest quantities of timber, logs and manufactured 
lumber, made on these and other streams are transported to the places of 
shipment at their mouths, if logs, in rafts, or if sawn, either in boats or as 
rafts, and from thence are destributed over the British and other markets. 

The forests of New Brunswick are almost inexhaustible ; a vast extent 
of the best portion of the Colony is still untrodden by the foot of the lum- 
berman ; and the business has been confined, generally speaking, to the sea 
shores or the immediate vicinity of such stream's as may contain sufficient 
water for rafting, or for what is technically called stream driving. Li- 
cences are obtained from the local government by parties who intend opera- 
ting upon ungranted land ; the amount charged per square mile, and the time 
for which the licence shall run, depend upon the action of the Government. 

With regard to the effects produced by the lumbering operations upon 
the progress of agriculture, the following dispatch from Lobd Elgin, Gov- 
ernor General of Canada, to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, will not be 
uninteresting: — " The bearing of the lumbering business on the settlement 
of the country is a point well worthy of notice. The farmer who under- 
takes to cultivate unreclaimed land in new countries, generally finds that, 
not only does every step in advance, which he makes in the wilderness, by 
removing him from the centres of trade and civilization, enhance the cost 
of all he has to purchase ; but, that, moreover, it diminishes the value of 
what he has to sell. It is not so, however, with the farmer who follows in 
the wake of the lumber-man. He finds on the contrary, in the wants of 
the latter, a steady demand for all that he produces, at a price not 
only equal to that procurable in the ordinary marts, but increased 
by the cost of transport from them to the scene of the lumbering 
operations. This circumstance, no doubt, powerfully contributes to 
promote the settlement of those districts, and attracts population to the sec- 
tions of the country, which, in the absence of any such inducements, would 
probably remain for long periods uninhabited." 

While the prosecution of this business, in addition to the facts adduced 
in the above extract, has a tendency to increase and concentrate trade and 
com merce, to build towns and villages, to increase the demand for ships as 
well as the market for agricultural produce ; still, on the other hand it set- 
tles the land with a class of persons, who are neither farmers nor lumber- 
men, yet engage in the occupations of both : the precarious and fluctuating 
nature of this pursuit is such, that small capitalists too frequently lose all 
the means they embark in the business, while the laborer only procure a 
mere temporary subsistaiM?e, and the whole profit falls into the hands of the 
13 



82 - 

more wealthy merchant, to whom even any material reduction in the mar- 
ket prices frequently results in bankruptcy. In reviewing this laborious 
occupation, therefore, in all the details connected with its prosecution, it 
must be admitted that, after the makers of timber have spent the prime of 
their lives, and all the energies of youth have been exhausted, they have 
to return to the cultivation of the soil, and that, frequently without any 
adequate means to commence their new task. 

And in a moral point of view, the lumber camp is not the proper place 
to educate the youth of the country ; it is true that there might not perhaps 
be much difficulty in placing these establishments on a more civilized foot- 
ing ; but in their present state, although there are some honorable excep- 
tions, vice is encouraged ; profane swearing, sabbath breaking, gambling, 
and other similar vices are the orders of the day ; the reader may imagine 
fifteen or twenty men removed from civilized society, and placed in a camp 
at a distance of thirty or forty miles in the wilderness, without any other 
associate than those similarly circumstanced, and that for a period of some 
six to nine months every year, subject to no law, and the recipients of no 
moral or religious precept ; what results can be expected from such a state 
of things 1 Besides this the balance of their earnings, after paying the 
exorbitant prices too often charged by their employers for clothing, &c, is 
generally squandered during their recess, leaving them frequently heavily 
in debt on their return to the camp. 

The only remedy, or rather palliative that we can suggest for these evils 
is for the foreman, or person in charge of each lumbering party, to pay a 
little more attention to the erection of camps or places of lodgement for the 
workmen, as there is generally a great want of personal comfort about these 
temporary edifices ; and secondly, that he should commence each winter's 
operations by establishing, and afterwards employing, camp rules and re- 
gulations. Objections to such a mode of proceeding would no doubt be 
urged by many on account of the difficulty often found in obtaining a suffi- 
cient number of men to carry on operations, but as lumbermen are gene- 
rally robust and vigorous, with minds as susceptible of improvement as those 
of any other class, it may be hoped that if order and system were once es- 
tablished, the abandonment of idle and useless habits and language would 
soon be followed by a successful renovation of moral action. 

THE FISHERIES—THEIR EXTENT, AND COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE. 

Among all the subjects proposed to be embraced in this Work, there is 
none more important in itself, or more calculated to promote the prosperity 
of the Province, than that we are now considering. It has attracted a con- 
siderable degree of notice from the claims of the Americans to participate 
in the enjoyment of those advantages which Providence has bestowed on 
the inhabitants of British America, — from the prolonged negotiations to 
which those claims have given rise — and the steps which have been ren- 
dered necessary to prevent in some measure the incroachments of foreign- 
ers on the Colonial rights. Considering, therefore, the importance of this 
subject, it is proposed to afford the reader a compressed view of the advan- 
tages possessed by New Brunswick, in the extensive fisheries on her shores 
and internal waters. 

On referring to the general map of British North America, it will be 
seen, that the Gulf of St. Lawrence forms a sort of Mediterranean sea, en- 



, 83 

compassed entirely by British possessions, and accessible by three narrow 
entrances, the Gut of Canseau, the Strait between Newfoundland and Cape 
Breton, and the Straits of Bellisle. Certain British treaties have given the 
Americans and French the right of fishing in this sea, (provided they do 
not approach within three miles of the shore) which would otherwise, by 
the law of nations, appertain exclusively to Britain and her Colonies. The 
Bay of Fundy again is another extensive inlet, little inferior to the Gulf in 
area, bordered on both sides by the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New 
Brunswick. The latter Province possess, as we have before seen, about 
four hundred miles of coast on each of these land-locked seas, both of which 
abound with fish ; and she has also harbors well calculated for the outfit 
and shelter of fishing vessels, near adjoining to the favorite haunts of 
the various descriptions of fish, She possesses timber close to the shores 
sufficient to construct thousands of ships ; and, if she has not the hemp, 
iron, and other materials for their outfit, it is owing to no deficiency of her 
soil, her natural resources, or her climate. The materials for barrels are 
within herself. Salt Springs abound in some of her counties as well as in 
the sister Province ; her sons are bold, hardy, and robust, but are not suf- 
ficient in number to bring these resources into active operation ; and, above 
all, that most essential item, capital, is wanting. 

The Provincial Government has not been negligent of its duties in res- 
pect to this object. It has repeatedly employed a most able and indefatiga- 
ble agent, M. R. Perley, Esq., of St. John, to report on the fisheries of 
both shores, and on those of the rivers and lakes, which, though less exten- 
sive, are equally worthy attention. The information he has embodied in 
three most valuable reports ought to be circulated over the whole Province, 
and it is to this source we have to look for proof of the particulars we pro- 
pose to lay before our readers. 

The Americans have always been fully sensible of the advantages these 
fisheries afford, and they have not been slow not only to reap the full bene- 
fit of the privileges secured to them by treaty, but in many instances ' to 
encroach within the three miles reserved to the British fishermen. These en- 
croachments led from time to time to repeated remonstrances, and to complaints 
from the Provincial Governments to the Colonial Secretary in Britain, and 
it was not till the year 1852, that efficient protection was afforded by Eng- 
land to her transatlantic subjects. Much discussion took place as to the 
mode in which the three miles distance from the shore were to be calculated ; 
the Americans contending that the indentations of the coast were to be fol- 
lowed, while the British Negotiators argued, and supported their arguments 
by the opinions of the most eminent jurists on both sides the Atlantic, that 
the line must be drawn from headland to headland, excluding all foreigners 
from the bays and harbors of the Provinces. The protection and encou- 
ragement of the fisheries having been repeatedly brought before the Pro- 
vincial Legislature, a Committee appointed in 1853, on that subject, and on 
reciprocal free trade, made a very able Report, from which we extract the 
following paragraph: — "That the full and uninterrupted enjoyment of the 
fisheries on the coasts of this Province, forms an incalculable source of 
wealth, and is of inestimable value to the people of New Brunswick." — 
In pursuance of this Report, an address was transmitted to the Throne 
from the Legislature, and the protection was afforded by armed British steam- 
ers, and by some small cruizers fitted out by the several Colonies, which 
produced a material improvement in the profits and condition of the British 



84 

fishermen. A somewhat protracted negotiation was now entered on, the 
Americans seeking to be admitted to the enjoyment of the fisheries possessed 
by the British Provinces, and the British Ambassador requiring the price of 
such a valuable privilege, some important concessions as to their trade —the 
admission of their fish into the States on equal terms, the abolition of boun- 
ties and of the imports on various articles of their produce, and the registry 
in the Union of Colonial built vessels, There were also some other subjects 
of discussion as to the navigation of the St. Lawrence, which do not imme- 
diately affect this Province. The last condition was absolutely refused by 
the American negotiators ; but the other points having been conceded, what 
is called the Elgin Treaty, which will be found noticed in another part of 
this work, was ultimately concluded. The Colonial fishermen have now to 
enter into a fair race of competition with their Republican neighbors, and 
the importance of the subject is therefore enhanced, and the necessity for 
its being well understood, much greater than when the markets were less 
extensive. As yet they are far behind in the extent of their operations, — 
the outfit of their vessels — the energy with which they follow up the pur- 
suit — and, as a natural consequence, in the profits they derive from it. 
We cannot, perhaps, impress on our readers the value and importance of 
this branch of Provincial industry better than by quoting the following 
energetic and expressive paragraphs with which Mr. Perley commences his 
first " Report on the fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence," which was 
laid before the House of Assembly in the Session of 1849 (page 1) : 

" There is probably no part of the world inwhich such extensive and va- 
luable fisheries are to be found, as within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. 
Nature has bountifully provided within its waters, the utmost abundance of 
those fishes which are of the greatest importance to man, as affording not 
only nutritious and wholesome food, but also the means of profitable employ- 
ment. 

"These fisheries may be prosecuted as well in the open waters of the 
Gulf, as within every bay, harbor, creek, cove, and inlet in connection with 
it. Whether on the bleak and sterill coast of Labrador, or on the western 
coasts of Newfoundland and Cape Breton, or along the eastern shores of 
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, or within the Bay of Chaleur, or around 
Prince Edward Island, Anticosti, or the Magdalen Islands, the fisherman 
may pursue his labors with nearly equal chances of success, and the full 
prospect of securing an ample reward for his toil. 

"With such value and unlimited fisheries in close proximity to these 
Colonies, and as it may be said at the very doors of the inhabitants, it is no 
less strange than true, that they are prosecuted to the greatest extent, and 
with most profit, by citizens of France, and of the United States. 

" The French exercise an almost exclusive right of fishing upon the wes- 
tern coast of Newfoundland, the fertility and great mineral wealth of which 
have only recently become known, and are not yet fully appreciated. 

" From seven to eight hundred sail of American fishing vessels enter the 
Gulf of Saint Lawrence annually ; and scattering over the whole of its 
wide extent, with little heed of the limits to which they are restricted by 
treaty, pursue their business unmolested, and but rarely leave their stations 
without full and valuable fares. 

" The Jersey merchants also prosecute these fisheries with great zeal and 
assiduity, and, as it is believed, with much profit. They have permanent es- 
tablishments and fishing stations in Gaspe, Labrador and Newfoundland, and 



85 

three or more establishments in New Brunswick ; but they by no means 
confine themselves to any particular locality. They employ upwards of one 
hundred vessels almost exclusively in carrying the rich products of the deep 
to various foreign markets, besides the smaller craft required upon the coast. 
Two of the leading Jersey firms, Messrs Robin & Co., and Nicolle Brothers, 
are supposed respectively to afford employment, directly or indirectly, to 
nearly one thousand persons. 

" The inhabitants of those shores of Cape Breton and Nova Scotia which 
are within the Gulf, pursue the fisheries in their immediate neighborhood 
to a moderate extent ; and a few of their vessels visit the Magdalen Islands, 
and the Labrador coast, during the season. The people of Prince Edward 
Island, who are favorably placed for securing a goodly portion of the riches 
of the sea, make still more limited efforts ; but their efforts can scarcely be 
described as more limited, or more feeble, than those of the people of New 
Brunswick, who dwell upon its shores, from Bay Verte to the western ex- 
tremity of the Bay of Chaleur — those shores commanding as great an ex- 
tent and variety of fishing ground, and as abundant supplies of valuable 
fish, of every description, as can be found in any other part of the unrival- 
led Gulf of St. Lawrence ; while they possess equal, and perhaps superior, 
facilities for prosecuting its fisheries, both extensively and profitably." 

Mr. Perley then proceeds to point out the improvements that might be 
affected in the mode of cure of the various descriptions of fish, the abun- 
dant markets, and the different sorts of shell and river fish that are found 
on the shores and streams ; and he concludes this report as follows (page 
25) : 

" The immense products which might be obtained by a vigorous prosecu- 
tion of the fisheries for herring, cod and mackerel, would not only furnish 
a fruitful source of profit to a railway, but they would afford such an amount 
of remunerative employment to all the productive classes, as almost to defy 
calculation. They would enable the Province to open up and prosecute a 
successful trade with several foreign countries, with which, at present, the 
merchants of New Brunswick have no connection whatever. The farmer, 
also, would be greatly benefitted by the extension of the fisheries in connec- 
tion with the railway, because he would not only find a more ready market 
for his surplus produce, but he would be furnished with wholesome and nu- 
tritious food, at all seasons of the year, on the most reasonable terms. 

"Aided by railways, the fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, now of 
so little importance, and such limited value, would take rank as one of the 
highest privileges of New Brunswick — its unfailing source of wealth for 
ever hereafter. And while the efforts of the people were successfully 
directed towards securing these bounties of Providence, lavished with such 
an unsparing hand, they would rejoice in the goodness of an all-wise Crea- 
tor, and offer up humble but earnest thanks to Almighty God, for his ex- 
ceeding goodness and mercy towards his erring and sinful creatures." 

In 1850, the same gentleman was again employed by the Government, 
and prepared a still more elaborate report on the sea and river fisheries 
within the Gulf, pointing out the advantages of the several localities along 
the Gulf shore, and making most useful suggestions for the improvement of 
the fisheries, especially that for salmon, in the several rivers. We must 
not, however, extract more than the concluding paragraphs from this docu- 
ment (page 89) : 

" The rents arising from ' fishing rooms,' and river fisheries, with the ad. 



86 

dition of any legislative grants, might be most usefully and beneficially em- 
ployed, in extending and improving the fisheries, in a great variety of ways. 
At almost every fishing station, there is a great want of those conveniences 
necessary to a successful prosecution of the fisheries. Landing piers, break- 
waters and shelter harbors, boat slips and capstans, moorings, and small 
harbor lights or Ian thorns, are all greatly needed ; and, probably, few bet- 
ter modes could be devised, of assisting and encouraging the industrious 
fishermen, than by furnishing these conveniences at the public expense. 
Short roads, or lines of communication between piers, fishing harbors or 
stations, with the nearest high roads, are also required, almost everywhere. 
If advisable, premiums might be given for good boats and nets, for the most 
scientific and successful modes of fishing, and for the discovery of new fish- 
ing grounds. 

; ' It is a duty incumbent upon the people of New Brunswick to encou- 
rage, preserve and protect their admirable fisheries. They should, with 
thankful hearts, use the gifts which Providence has bountifully bestowed, 
and prevent their reckless and improvident waste ; so that they may here- 
after be able to render a good account of their stewardship of that which 
has been beneficently vouchsafed to them." 

In the following year, Mr. Perley was employed to report on the fisher- 
ies of the Bay of Fundy ; a task he has performed with the same ability, 
zeal and industry, that characterize his former labors ; and it contains a 
most useful summary, shewing the difficulties and imperfections at present 
existing in the laws regulating the fisheries, as well as in the mode of carry- 
ing them on, and in curing and packing the fish. We recommend the whole 
to the attentive perusal of all who may feel an interest in this highly im- 
portant subject. 

If further evidence of the extent to which this branch of industry might 
be carried were required, it would be found in a most convincing and well- 
written letter from the Honorable John E. Fairbanks, of Halifax, append- 
ed to Mr. Perley' s reports, from which we cannot forbear giving a short ex- 
tract (p. 246) : 

" The custom house returns as to fish will give you some idea of the im- 
ports and exports of this article. From them, you will learn how large a 
quantity we receive from Newfoundland, for which cash is paid to a great 
extent ; but no information can be obtained as to our domestic consumption 
It is doubtless very great, as there is scarcely a family but uses fish, in va-" 
rious shapes ; yet this demand would be greatly increased if the modes of 
cure were improved, and the quality could be relied upon. The farmer who 
teams a barrel of fish a long distance into the interior, and then finds them 
bad, i3 cautious how he buys in future. A rigid inspection law, properly 
carried out, would be of great service. 

"I think there is scarcely a man in the Province who has a correct idea of 
the present value of our fisheries ; and I am sure that few can conceive to 
what an extent they are capable of being carried, under sound and judicious 
legislation and management. We have not only no bounties, but not one 
shilling of public expenditure has ever been disbursed, in improving a fish- 
ing port or station. All our nets, lines and twines are imported, the light 
and simple manufacture of which might, I think, be introduced, and thus 
furnish employment to the families of fishermen during the winter season." 

The three most valuable fisheries in the Province shores are the herring, 
the cod, and the mackarel. The first is principally carried on by set or 



87 

stake nets and weirs, and in small boats from the shore, and is not consider- 
ed of sufficient value to be materially interfered with by the Americans, al- 
though it is of considerable advantage to the inhabitants, especially to those 
of the islands in the Pasmaquoddy Bay. In the autumn, the herrings are 
fat and good, but the fishermen are ignorant, to a great extent, of the proper 
mode of curing ; nor are they acquainted with the setting drift-*nets in deep 
water, as is successfully done on the coast of Scotland. The number of 
barrels stated to have been exported from the five principal northern ports, 
in the eight years ending 1848, was only 9939 ; and of these, a large pro- 
portion were the gaspereaux or ale wives from Miramichi. This is the more 
surprising, as the capital required is comparatively insignificant, while the 
markets are unlimited, and daily increasing. 

The cod and mackarel are also taken to a considerable extent in the Bay 
of Fundy, and the pollock and hake fishery is carried on in the lower part 
of the Bay, near the Pasmaquoddy islands, and round Briar Island, on the 
Nova Scotian coast. The shad fishery above Cape Enrage is found very 
productive. This valuable fish is sure to find a ready market, either in the 
Provinces or the United States ; but the quantity might no doubt be great- 
l'y increased, as well as the quality improved, by proper regulations and ju- 
dicious management. 

FISHERIES— NATURAL HISTORY. 

After having considered the commercial importance of the finny tribe to 
the Province of New Brunswick, we propose to give a brief sketch of their 
natural history, compiled principally from the reports of Mr. Perley, to 
which we have already been so much indebted, and the scientific work of 
Dr. Gesner on the Industrial Resources of Nova Scotia, The following 
catalogue of the fishes found in the waters of New Brunswick (so far as 
they have yet been ascertained) is compiled from both the above mentioned 
works ; the Mammalia and Cetacea being enumerated by Dr. Gesner only : 

Mammalia. 

Common seal, or harbor Seal. 

Hooded Seal. 

Mr. Perley mentions other kinds or varieties of Seals— the hooded Seal 
being the largest. The other three varieties are known as "the square 
flipper," " the blue seal," and " the jar seal," 

Cetacea. 
Grampus or Porpus. 
Gladiator, Sword Fish, 
Common Whale. 
Black Fish. 

Group 1. Osseous or Bony Fishes. 
Order 1st. Fishes with spinous rays in their fins. 

(Mr. Perley's arrangement is principally followed.) 
Percidoe, — the Perch family consisting of : 
The American yellow Perch. 
The striped Basse. 
The little white Basse. 
The common Pond-fish. 
The American yellow Perch, a beautiful little fish, is found in lakes and 



88 

still rivers. The striped Basse is a salt water fish, ascending the rivers in 
the spring and winter, and is an excellent fish for the table. The little 
white Basse, or Perch, abounds in the river St. John, and most localities 
where there is but little current, it is taken in the Buctouche and other 
northern rivers in winter. The common pond fish, also a perch, has a 
wide range, extending from Lake Huron through all the British Provinces. 
It is bony, and seldom eaten. 

2. Triglidce — Fishes with hard cheeks. 

The common Bull-head or Sculpin. 

The Greenland Bullhead. 

Two spinecl Stubile-back. 

The Norway Haddock. 

The Sculpin is very numerous, and is a great annoyance to line fishers ; 
it presents rather a formidable appearance, but is said not to be a bad arti- 
cle of food. The Norway Haddock (not the Scotch Haddock) is common 
to both sides of the Atlantic ; it is sometimes called the " red sea pearch," 
" the rose fish" and " the snapper. 1 ' In Norway it is considered a great 
delicacy. 

3 Scombridoe. — The Mackarel Family. 
The Spring Mackarel. 

The Fall Mackarel. 

The common Tunny. 

The Sword Fish. 

The mackarel are the most valuable fish frequenting our shores. There 
are said to be two species, the spring and fall mackarel, though doubts are 
entertained whether they are not the same in different stages of growth. 
The Tunny, or horse mackarel, also belongs to this family, though it is not 
abundant, and the fishermen are anxious to get rid of it from its breaking 
their nets. In the Medeterranean, its fishery is important, but in America 
it is either of inferior quality, or is but little esteemed. The Sword Fish is 
sometimes found on these shores in pursuit of mackarel. 

4 Gobidm. — The Goby Family. 
The Wolf Fish. 

This is the only species of its family on these shores, and is the abhor- 
ence of the fishermen, who either avoid it, or dispatch it as soon as possible ; 
as its name imports, it is ferocious, and will inflict severe wounds if not cau- 
tiously avoided. 

5 Lophidm. — Fishes with wrists to pectoral fins. 
The American Angler. 

The Lophidce are only represented by one species on these coasts, which 
is remarkable for two long appendages on its head ending not unlike a small 
fish ; it is said to stir up the mud, so as to conceal itself, when the smaller 
fish are allured by the apparent bait to approach its head, and are seized by 
the expectant fish, thence called " the American Angler,'"' it is sometimes, 
called the Monk Fish and Fishing Frog. 

6. Labridce. — The Wrasse or Rock-fish Family. 

The Sea Perch or Runner. 

The Tautog. or Black-fish. 

The Cunner, or blue fish, is abundant^in the T Gut of Canseau, but is little 
esteemed for food. The Tautog has", only lately been found in the St. John 
harbor : it is an excellent fish for eating. 



89 

Order 2.— Soft finned fishes ; the fin-rays almost universally flexible. 

1 Cyprinidoe. — The Carp Family. 

The common Sucker. 

The Yellow Shiner. 

The Red Fin. 

The Roach Dace. 

The Chub. 

The Brook Minnow. 

The striped Killifish. 

The Cyprindioe are more numerous, including the common Sucker, an 
exclusively American fish ; if taken before spawning, in the early part of 
May, it is eaten by many persons ; — the yellow shiner, a delicate, finely 
flavored little fish, which is abundant in the waters near Hampton Ferry ; — 
The Redfin, a beautiful little fish ; — the Roach Dace, all rise readily to the fly, 
and are in season in May : — The Chub abounds in most rivers and streams ; 
it is considered a coarse fish, but not unpalatable if of large size, and it 
should be eaten fresh. The Minnow and Killifish are only taken for bait. 

2 Silaridm. — The Sheat fish family. 
The common Cat Fish. 

This unsightly fish is not eaten in New Brunswick, but is highly es- 
teemed in Maine and Massachusetts. 

3 EsoridxE. — The Pike family. 

There are two species of this family, th6 Pickerel and Sea Pike. 

4 Salmonidoe. — The Salmon family. 
The Brook Trout. 

The great grey Trout. 

The Salmon Trout or white sea Trout. 

The Salmon. 

The American Smelt. 

The Capelin. 

The White Fish. 

The Salmon family comprises some of the most delicious fish found in our 
waters. The brook trout may be met with in almost every liver, lake and 
stream ; it is migatory. descending to the sea if it has the power, and re- 
turning to deposit its spawn in the clearest and coolest water it can find. 
The great grey trout is found in all the larger lakes of New Brunswick, 
and in Lake Temiscouta, it has attained the weight of 21 pounds ; it has 
lately been found in Loch Lomond, near Saint John ; its flesh is coarse and 
indifferent. The white sea trout abounds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and 
is found on the northern shores, and in the estuaries of rivers, as far as 
the Straits of Canseau, early in June ; it is caught in nets at the Magdalen 
Islands, and salted for export. The river Philip, in Nova Scotia, is much 
resorted to by sportsmen to fish for this trout, and it affords a rich treat to 
the epicure, The Salmon is so well known in the North American colonies 
as to need no description. This fish enters the rivers of Nova Scotia dur- 
ing the latter part of April, and these of New Brunswick, falling into the 
Bay of Fundy early in May ; while it seldom ascends the rivers of the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence until the month of June. The American smelt abounds in 
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ; on the Gulf shore large quantities are 
used as manure ; in the Bay of Chaleur it is captured by a Seine, and used 
as a bait for cod. The Capelin inhabits the northern seas only, never rang- 
ing farther south than the shores of New Brunswick, St ia used m a I 
14 



90 

for Cod, and wherever it abounds the cod fishing is excellent. In Newfound- 
land it has been dried in large quantities, and exported to London, where it 
is esteemed a delicacy ; and there is little doubt but that this fish, and the 
smelt, if carefully prepared for market, would meet with a ready sale. The 
white fish, described by arctic voyagers as most delicious, is found in Lake 
Temiscouta, and occasionally along the Madawaska river ; it abounds in the 
Eagle Lakes, at the head of the Fish river, and in Lake St. Francis. Mr. 
Perley says that he has seen numbers taken in Grand Lake, and that it has 
been caught in the Nerepis, in the harbor of Saint John, and near Hamp- 
ton Ferry. 

5 Clupeidas. — The Herring family. 

Common American herring. 

The Britt. 

The American Shad. 

The Gaspereau, or American. 

Alewife. 

The Mossbonker, Menhaden, or hardhead. 

The Autumenal Herring. 

This family includes some of the most useful fish found on these shores, 
the herring standing foremost. It is found on almost all parts of the coast ; 
some in the early spring, when they are poor and not esteemed, and again 
in the fall, when they are more valuable. It appears that there are several 
varieties ; but the habits, haunts, and seasons of this fish are only beginning 
to be understood, and accurate observations respecting them would be high- 
ly valuable. The britt is occasionally met with in the Bay of Fundy, and 
more frequently in the Gulf. The American shad are supposed to come 
from the south to deposit their spawn ; the best are found in the Bay of 
Fundy, where they are taken in considerable numbers. There are none on 
the Atlantic shore of Nova Scotia, but they frequent the Gulf of St. Law- 
rence as far north as the Miramichi. where, however, they are very inferior. 
The gaspereaux or alewives are abundant in the Bay of Fundy ; those of 
the Gulf are smaller, and they are not found further north than the Mir- 
amichi. The mossbonker, menhaden, or hardhead, is found in the Bay of 
Fundy only ; it is seldom eaten, but is used as a mackarel bait. The au- 
tumnal herring is a common fish at New York, and its description seems to 
agree exactly with the : ' Quoddy herring," taken near Campo Bello. In 
flavor and excellence ic ranks only second to the Petitcoudiac shad. 

Order 3 — Fishes with ventrals under the pectorals, and the pelvis sus- 
pended to the shoulder bones. 

1 Gadidoe. — The Cod family. 

The common Cod. 

The American Cod. 

The Tomcod, or first fish. 

The Haddock. 

The American Hake. 

The Silver Hake. 

The Coal Fish, or Pollock. 

The Torsk, Tusk, or Cush. 

The spotted Burbot, or fresh water Cusk. 

The cod family is one of the most important to man in the whole race of 
fishes. The common cod and American cod are both caught in these waters. 
The southern limit of the American cod is New York, and it ranges north- 



91 

wardly to the St. Lawrence. The other species has been caught in consi- 
derable quantities in Davis' Straits, and even further to the northward ; it 
is believed that there are several varieties in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, 
The cod is an exceedingly voracious fish, devouring all small fish, Crustacea, 
and marine shell fish. The tomcod, or frost fish, is taken on all the shores 
of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick throughout the year, and affords great 
amusement to the juvenile angler ; it is in fine condition during the early 
part of winter. The haddock is an exceedingly fine fish when eaten fresh, 
or when slightly salted and smoked, as the Finnan haddocks of Scotland. 
They are found in abundance in Quoddy river, between Campo Bello and 
Eastport. in Digby Basin, and in the harbor of Halifax. The American 
hake, or ling, ranges from Cape Cod northwardly ; it is taken largely on 
muddy bottoms, both in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence ; 
when salted and dried, it is exported to some extent by the Jersey mer- 
chants. The silver Hake is sold in Saint John, under the name of "Whi- 
ting; when quite fresh, it is exceedingly sweet and palatable, but soon be- 
comes soft and tasteless ; it is never salted. The Coal fish or Pollock is a 
northern fish, and has been found on the coasts of Spitzbergen and in Da- 
vis' Straits ; it abounds in the Bay of Fundy where it forms one of the 
most valuable deep sea fisheries, but is not found in the Gulf of St. Law- 
rence ; it is in good condition in August, The Torsk or Cusk is a north- 
ern fish, its southern limit being Massachusetts Bay, and is not abundant in 
the Bay of Fundy, it is taken in deep water, in the latter part of winter or 
early spring, and is very fine when eaten fresh, but being rather tough is 
usually dried, and in Boston is preferred to cod. The spotted Burbot, or 
freshwater Cusk, is the only member of the cod family residing permanent- 
ly in fresh water, some hundreds are taken annually in the Saint John by 
night lines dropt through the ice in the beginning of winter ; it is found as 
high as Fredericton, and near the Oromocto, and is also abundant in the 
Temiscouta and Eagle Lakes. 

2 Pleuronectedce. — The family of Flounders, popularly called Flat Fish. 
The Halibut. 

The common Flounder. 

The Sand Flounder or small Dab. 

The Fleuk or common Dab. 

The family of Flat Fish comprizes the Halibut, which is a very large 
fish, found on the coast from Nantucket to Greenland ; it frequently weighs 
200 lbs, and has been brought into Boston market of the weight of 400 
and 600 lbs. The flesh is rather coarse and dry, but is esteemed by many ; 
the fins and flaps are delicacies ; the fishermen of the Bay of Fundy salt 
the flesh lightly, and dry it for winter use. The common Flounder, the 
Land Flounder, or small Dab, and the Fleuk, or common Dab are found 
every where on the coast of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is pro- 
bable that other species of this family exist, but have not yet been dis- 
covered. 

3 Cyclopteridoe. — The Lump fish family. 
The common Lump Fish. 

The Lump fish is sometimes found near Grand Manan ; attached to large 
masses of sea weed, and small specimens are frequently taken in the rivers 
in the harbor of Saint John ; in the Spring it approaches to deposit its 
spawn, and is taken in considerable quantities near the harbor of Halifax ; 
these of a red color only are eaten. 



92 

Order 4. — Fishes in which the ventral fins are wanting. 

1 Angecillidoz. — The Eel family. 

The common Eel. 

The Sea Eel. 

The American Sand-launce. 

The common eel inhabits both fresh and salt water, it is very voracious, 
feeding on aquatic insects, small fishes, or any dead substance that may 
come in its way ; it is caught in baskets or eel pots, and also by spearing in 
the mud. The Sea Eel is so named by Dr. McKay as having been found 
on the coast of New York, and Mr. Perley has also noticed it in the Gulf 
of Saint Lawrence ; the Indians say it is exceedingly sly, and cannot be 
induced to enter an eel pot ; those shewn to Mr. Perley were excessively 
fat, the flesh very white and well flavored. It may probably be found along 
the whole North American coast, north of New York. The American 
Sand Launce is found every where on the coasts of New Brunswick and 
Nova Scotia ; at Newfoundland and Labrador it is used as a bait for cod, 
but is neglected on these shores. 

Group 2. Cartilaginous Fishes. 

Order 1. — Fishes with free gills. 

1 Stureonidce. — The Sturgeon family. 

Sharp nosed Sturgeon. 

This fish is taken in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia from two to eight 
feet in length ; it ascends the river Saint John in May, and is often taken in 
river seines and gaspereau nets ; the flesh is like coarse beef, quite firm and 
compact, but very rank and unsavoury ; the Indians salt it for winter use, 
but it is not eaten by those who can obtain better fare. In the north of 
Europe, extensive fisheries are established for taking sturgeon, and the ce- 
lebrated caviare is made of the roe of the female. 

Order 2. — Fishes with fixed gills. 

1 Squaledai. — The Shark family. 

The Thresher Shark. 

The Basking Shark. 

The Spinous Dog-fish. 

The Thresher Shark is said to be common on both sides of the Atlantic ; 
it pursues the shoales of Mackarel, Mosbonker and Shad, which it devours 
in great numbers, and is frequently seen attacking the whales in the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence, and Bay of Chaleur. The Basking Shark, so called from 
its remaining occasionally at the surface of the water, as if enjoying the in- 
fluence of the sun's rays, usually exceeds 30 feet in length ; in August, 
1851, one was taken in the Bay of Fundy 40 feet long, it had been en- 
tangled in a string of herring nets, and was killed after a long and severe 
struggle ; its liver yielded 320 gallons of oil. The spinous Dog-fish is 
found every where on the coast of North America, from the Delaware to 
Davis' Straits. The skin is used for various purposes, but chiefly by ca- 
binet makers for smoothing the surface of hard wood ; the livers furnish a 
valuable oil, and the fish themselves are often dried for cattle and pigs. 
i ■'■;. 2 Raidoe.— The Bay Family. 

The Skate. 

The Hedgehog Ray. 

The Skate is found on all parts of these shores ; it exists near the bottom, 
and may almost be called a Flat-fish. Its appearance is not prepossessing 



93 

but in London large quantities are eaten, and its flesh is considered delicate ; 
on many parts of these shores it is merely used to bait lobster pots. The 
French consume it largely, and it is used both at Boston and New York. 
The Hedgehog Ray has been found in Whale Cove, near Grand Manan. 

3 Petromyzojiidce. — The Lamprey family. 

One species only of the Lamprey family is found on these shores, but it 
is very abundant ; it is not eaten in New Brunswick, but in the United 
States and elsewhere, is held in high estimation by epicures. 

The species of fish enumerated by Dr. Gesner are more numerous, but 
he, as naturalist, probably includes many that have been found on the shores 
of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and some which may have 
been merely specimens, while Mr. Perley is more practical and includes few 
besides those that are usually taken by fishermen. 

Shell Fish. 

Under this head may be enumerated Lobsters, Oysters, Clams, Mussels, 
Whelbes, Razorfish, Crabs and Shrimps, all of which are found in the Gulf 
of Saint Lawrence. Lobsters are so abundant in the Bay of Chaleur, that 
that they are used to manure the land. 

Mr. McGregor states (in his work on British America) that these dis- 
criptions of fish are equally delicious with those of Europe. 



94 



NATURAL HISTORY— ORNITHOLOGY. 



A complete description of the Ornithology and Zoology of this Province 
would swell this volume far beyond its intended magnitude. These subjects, 
indeed, deserve a volume of their own, and we trust that some scientific 
naturalist will devote his attention, before long, to these interesting produc- 
tions of this and the neighboring Provinces. We shall confine ourselves, 
under this head, to a brief outline of the several species of birds proper to 
the Province, which we have selected principally from Dr. Gesner's history 
of New Brunswick. 

Naturalists have divided this branch of history into a variety of orders, 
the principal of which, so far as New Brunswick is concerned, will be found 
under the following arrangement ; the subject, however, never has received 
much attention : 



Grey Eagle, 
Bald Eagle, 
Sparrow Hawk, ) 
Eish Hawk, I 

Mouse Hawk, 
Pigeon Hawk, | 
Hen Hawk, } 

Barn Owl, 
Hawk Owl, 
Screech Owl, 
Long-eared Owl. t 



8 



Red-headed Woodpecker, 
And 3 other species, 
Peabody Bird, 
Cuckoo. 



Six species of the Warbler, 

Wren, 

Two species of the Nut-Hatch, 

Lark, 

Humming Bird, 

Snow Bird, 

Fpur species of the Sparrow, 

Finch, 

Purple Finch, 

Bull Finch, 

Cross Bill, 

Moose Bird or Jay, 

Crow, 

Raven. 

Blue Jay or 

Common Jay, 



Lb- 



09 



Grackle, 
Starling, 
Kingfisher, 
Meadow Lark, 
Night Hawk, 
Whip-poor- Will, 
Chimney Swallow, 
Barn Swallow, 
Bank Swallow, 
Martin, 

Three varieties of the Fly- 
catcher, 
Thrush, 
Robin. 

Spruce Partridge, ] 
Birch Partridge, 
Dove. 
Pigeon. 

American Bittern, 
Curlew, 

Four species of Plover, 
Three species of Snipe, 
Woodcock, 
Coote. 

Wild Goose, 
Six species of the Duck, 
Gull, 
Fern, 
Brant, 
Sheldrake, 
Greke, 
Gannet, 
Diver. 



? 

I 



\ Gallince. 

J 



\ 



The extensive sea-board, and numerous marshes and meadows of the Pro- 
vince, afford every facility that a sportsman can desire for shooting snipe, 
woodcock, plover, coote, ducks, sheldrakes, brant and wild geese. The 
north-eastern coast abounds with the wild geese and brant. These birds 
make their appearance in the bays and lakes about the middle of March ; 



95 

the geese remain about six weeks, and the brant about two months. 
A space of two or three acres may often be seen covered, promiscuously, 
with these noble fowl. Gunning boats have been constructed, wearing 
the appearance of icebergs, and propelled by concealed paddle-wheels, 
which are turned by the inmates as occasion may require. Each person 
frequently carries with him two double-barrelled guns, so that as soon as 
he gets sufficiently near one of these fields of birds, one gun is discharged 
at them while sitting on the water, and the other as they rise. The havoc 
thus made is immense ; an expert gunner will sometimes fully load his boat 
with his spoils. All these aquatic fowls pass northerly in the spring for 
purposes of incubation, and return in the autumn with their young, when 
the gunners repeat their operations ; the birds are then very fat, and they 
remain about the same time as in the spring, generally leaving for a more 
southern climate about the last of November. The principal part of the 
feathered tribes to be seen in the Province, during the summer, are migra- 
tory, the number peculiar to the country being very small ; ducks, however, 
and other birds of passage, have been known to remain here all the winter. 
The whole number of species seen during the summer does not, probably, 
exceed one hundred and eighty. 

ZOOLOGY. 



The animals indigenous to this Province do not exceed forty in number. 
The following list presents the greater part of them : 

Common Deer, ) 

Reindeer or Carriboo 
Elk or Moose. 



Bear, common black 
of Canada, 



Q 



Rat (two species), 
Mouse (three species), 
Musquash or Muskrat, 
Beaver, 
Woodchuck, 

Squirrel (three species), 
Porcupine or Hedgehog, 
Hare or Rabbit. 






Mole (two species), 

Bat, 

Racoon, 

Wolverine or Indian Devil, 

Martin, 

Mink, 

Weasel (two species), 

Skunk, 

Otter, 

Wolf, 

Red, grey and black Fox, 

Silver Fox, 

Catamount (not common), 

Lynx, or Wild Cat, 

or Loup Cervier, 

Reptiles, 

There are but few reptiles in the Province ; we extract this notice prin- 
cipally from Dr. Gesner's work on New Brunswick : 
Qurtle — two or three species. 
Garter Snake, ; Are nooisonoug 
Green fenake, \ x 

Black Snake— is said to be venomous; it is not very common. 
Bull Frog and Spring Frog. 
Toads — two varieties. 
Salamanders— three varieties, 



> Ruminantia 



96 

The most useful among the wild animals that inhabit this Province are 
the deer, cariboo and moose. They are not very numerous, except the 
cariboo, which are sometimes found in droves of ten or twelve, chiefly in- 
habiting plains and morasses, in which they are frequently shot in the au- 
tumn. The flesh of each species is considered very delicious, and the skins 
are held in much esteem, as they make excellent and warm materials for 
coverings for travellers, either in sleighs or coaches during the winter. 

The most ferocious and dangerous inhabitant of the forest is the bear ; 
though he subsists during the summer time principally on berries, still he 
is carniverous, and will attack sheep and cattle, and sometimes man ; there 
are, however, but few instances on record where this has been the case, ex- 
cept by the female when the cubs are young, or after the animal has been 
wounded. Bears lie in dens during the winter in an almost dormant state ; 
they are commonly said to suck their paws for sustenance. The wolf, cata- 
mount, and Indian devil, are ferocious carniverous animals; the latter are 
very scarce, seldom in fact heard of ; the former have within ten years been 
numerous along the western borders of the Province, but during the last 
three years the number has considerably decreased. The mink, martin, fox, 
lynx, or loupcervier, muskrat, racoon, otter and beaver, are in great repute 
for their furs. Muskrats, foxes, the lynx, and martin, are very numer- 
ous. Otters still abound in the rivers and tributory streams of the north- 
ern part of the Province ; but the beaver, which is considered only second 
to the otter in the fur market, is now almost extinct except in the Resti- 
tigouche and its tributories. In fact, many of these animals, together with 
the Indian tribes, who have been their principal exterminators, are fast dis- 
appearing, and at no very distant period, will only be spoken of as matters 
of history. 

There are few countries on the American continent affording a greater 
variety to the sportsman, than New Brunswick ; besides the feathered tribes 
which were the subject of the last section, its rivers, lakes and bays teem- 
ing with fish of every kind, the same wide domain, also, affording on its 
shores abundance of the marine tribes, the forest affords ample scope and 
pay to the more adventurous huntsman. In addition to the amusement 
these pursuits afford, they are all not unattended with profit. The early 
settlers have derived assistance from the salmon, trout and other fish of the 
lakes and rivers, as well as from the variety of wild fowl, and the cariboo 
and moose of the forest ; the former sometimes weighing from 200 to 300 
pounds ; the deer somewhat lighter, and the moose from 800 to 1400 lbs. 
made no inconsiderable addition to the poor man's larder. Of late years, 
however, these occupations have been followed by many whose time might 
have been better employed, and whose necessities have required every days' 
work. Hunting and fishing, like gambling, are very alluring, and should 
therefore not be indulged in by any, especially by the poorer classes, to a 
greater extent than they can well afford. 

BOTANY 

fs confined, principally, to a description of the indigenous trees in 
the Province, their use, and the quality of the land upon which they 
grow, for agricultural purposes. 

The forest trees of this Province are, arbitrarily, divided into two great 
classes, hardwood, and softwood ; those which drop their leaves in the au- 



97 

tumn (except the hacmatac) are of the former, and those of the evergreen 
tribe are of the latter class. 

Species of Hard-wood , and their use. 

Maple. — There are several species of the maple, as the Rock-maple, 
White-maple, Bed-maple, and Moosewood; — there are also other varieties. 

Rock-maple.- — The "hard maple," " curly maple," and "bird's eye 
maple," are varities of the rock maple, all of which are found in great 
abundance throughout the Province, and are highly sacharine. This ma- 
ple is the most valuable of the indigenous trees of North America; the 
soils most suitable to its healthy production are the alluvial meadow lands 
along the margins of rivers, and the gentle acclivities of hills ; it is seldom 
found growing thriftily, either in swamps, or on the tops of the higher ele- 
vations. Maple wood, when seasoned, is capable of resisting great pressure, 
it is of a light color, heavy, and compact in texture, and when not exposed 
to moisture, is very durable. The most important uses to which it is ap- 
plied are in the manufactory of furniture, and that of sugar. The beauti- 
ful varieties of appearance presented by its surface, when dressed by the 
cabinet makers, renders it highly valuable to him, and it requires no arti- 
ficial appliances to display greater beauties than can be found in almost any 
other species of wood. It is surprising that the upholsterers of England 
have not become better acquainted with it, more especially as the curls, dots, 
and "birds eyes." of well selected specimens, are far superior in elegance 
and variety to mahogany, and many other more expensive woods, now in 
general use, while we might suppose that its cheapness would be a powerful 
recommendation. 

The sap of the rock maple is used in the manufacture of maple sugar ; it 
is allowed that the average produce of each tree is a little over a pound 
weight. When properly manufactured, the sugar is very delicious, and is 
wholesome and even medicinal. In a pecuniary and commercial point of 
view, this manufacture is very profitable ; the quantity made in the Pro- 
vince in 1851 was 350,957 pounds, worth at least £10,000 currency. The 
maple grows to a great size, sometimes exceeding two feet in diameter at the 
lower part of the trunk, and frequently being more than 60 feet in height. 
All land producing a thrifty growth of rock maple is of the best quality for 
agricultural purposes, especially for English hay, the soil being generally 
of a deep rich black color and highly alluvial. 

The while maple ; its sap is slightly sacharine ; it grows generally on 
flat, swampy land, though it is sometimes found on dry soils, but seldom of 
a large size. In situations favorable to its growth it attains a more lofty 
height than the rock maple, though rarely so large at the bottom of the 
trunk ; the wood is very light, elastic, and flexible, yet possesses great 
strength, and is employed in the manufacture of agricultural implements, 
such as carts, barrows, ploughs, axles, ox-yokes and carriage shafts. The 
bark is used in the manufacture of ink, and when applied with copperas, a 
good black dye is produced. 

The red maple is similar in many respects to that last described and is 
produced in similar situations, preferring moist ground. Neither of them 
are any indication of the quality of the soil except when they grow very 
large and thrifty. The wood of the red maple is employed for poles, fuel, 
other domestic purposes, the saplings make good hoop-poles, and the bark 
mixed with alum makes a good dye, Both these species are highly orna- 
15 



98 

mental, especially in the autumn, when the frost sets in, and the leaves as- 
sume all colors and shades from purple to yellow. These trees retain their 
foilage longer than almost any other in the forest ; the ashes of all the ma- 
ples are largely used in the manufacture of soap. 

Moose Wood does not grow to any great size, seldom exceeding 15 or 
20 feet in height, with a proportional thickness ; the timber is little used : 
these trees are never found in groves, but are generally interspersed through 
the forest. 

Dogwood^ or Mountain Ash, is also of little use as timber, though 
highly ornamental, producing blossoms and scarlet berries. It is much 
used for medicinal purposes, and its bark is a fine tonic. 

The Beech, of which there are three kinds, the common beech, white 
beech, and red beech, abounds through the whole of New Brunswick. 
Ridges covered chiefly -with a growth of this tree, are found in many places, 
extending for ten miles. The beech, when confined, grows to a great height, 
frequently attaining 60 feet, and when the young sprouts are planted in the 
form of hedges, and properly trimmed, it becomes useful as well as highly 
ornamental. The soil congenial to the growth of beech is inferior for agri- 
culture ; when brought into the state of burnt land, it will produce two 
good crops, but when broken up by the plough one only can generally be 
taken from it, and it requires annually a large supply of manure. The 
beech produces at intervals of three or four years large quantities of nuts, 
but the blossoms frequently suffer from the late frosts of the spring ; when 
this crop is abundant, large droves of pigs are driven among the trees in the 
autumn, where they soon get fat, but the pork is somewhat oily. The 
timber is close grained, heavy, and durable when kept either wet or dry, 
but the principal use to which it is put, besides that of fuel, is in the manu- 
facture of staves; there is no wood of American growth, which, when 
dressed, presents so smooth, close, and glossy a surface ; hence it is much 
used for "sled-runners" by lumbermen and new settlers, in places where 
access to iron is difficult and costly, and, in an economical point of view, 
sleds thus built are no bad substitute for those with iron shod runners. The 
white beech is found to be an excellent material for the handles of carpen- 
ters tools, also for musical instruments, and cogs for mill machinery. The 
red beech is very durable, and is much used for spokes for wheels, and for 
ploughs, harrows and other farm utensils. 

Oak. — There are two kinds, the grey oak, and the red oak : the prin- 
cipal difference is in color. This tree grows to a great height;, frequently 
that of 70 or 80 feet, being over three feet in diameter : it very commonly 
rises fifty feet without a branch. The timber is heavy, porous, elastic, and 
durable, and is principally used for ship-building and agricultural implements : 
but is rarely exported, except for ship-building, and then only to a limited 
extent. It grows most luxuriantly on deep alluvial soils, similar to those pro- 
ducing the rock maple, among which it is frequently found intermixed. Its 
appearance indicates a good soil, suitable for farming pursuits. 

Birch. — There are several species and varieties of the birch, known as 
the black birch, white birch, or canoe birch, yellow birch, and grey birch. 

The black birch is much used in ship-building, for which it is only second to 
hacmatac or juniper ; the cabinet-maker employs it in the construction of 
tables, bedsteads, and various other kinds of furniture: for which its diver- 
sified and frequently variegated appearance, presenting stripes, spots, birds 
eyes, and scrolls of various colors, renders it well adapted. It is very du- 



99 

rable and close grained, and frequently attains great height and size of trunk. 
Large quantities of the timber are annually exported to Britain, and in this 
country the bark is much used by tanners. It is found most plentifully on 
a deep alluvial soil, and its presence always indicates good land. 

The white birch, to which the canoe birch is nearly akin, generally 
grows upon poor dry soils, but in some places where it thrives, the land is 
found productive, as in many spots along the margin of the Northumber- 
land Straits, and near the rivers emptying therein. The white birch is met 
with in large groves, interspread with spruce fir, pine and others of the 
same class ; it generally assumes a tall slender appearance, often reaching 
50 or 60 feet in height, and not more than 10 inches in diameter at the 
base. Sometimes, however, the canoe birch extends 70 or 80 feet upwards, 
with a length of 60 feet without limbs, and a diameter of two feet. The 
wood is not durable or strong ; being of fine grain, and light ; it' is much 
used by wheel wrights, and in the manufacture of chairs : and when the 
sap is extracted, which is done by boiling it in water, dishes and other tur- 
nery ware are made of it. The best charcoal used in this country is burnt 
from this wood ; and the bark is employed for a variety of purposes. Boxes 
are constructed of it, by a peculiar mode of folding, and being light, durable, 
and easily handled, are found remarkably convenient in sugar making, be- 
ing placed under the spout to receive the sap as it runs from the tree. Ves- 
sels are also made of it for other purposes, and the paper like quality of the 
inner lamina renders them an occasional substitute for writing paper. From 
its close and compact texture, it is found useful in adding warmth to a house 
when placed in sheets between the rough boarding and outer finishing. The 
Indians construct their canoes of the same material, and some of them are 
of sufficient size to carry ten or twelve persons ; — and before civilization 
had made any advance among them they enveloped their dead in a sort of 
coffin of the same material, many of which have been exposed by the en- 
croachment of the sea, still in a perfect state. The ingenuity of the na- 
tive tribes, in manufacturing fancy boxes and other articles of this bark, 
ornamented with colored porcupine quills and strips of various kinds of 
roots, is well known ; and they generally command a market in Europe as 
well as in America. 

The yellow and grey birch, like the black birch, both require a moist 
soil, and are frequently found in swampy land. They seldom attain a great 
height, but have a short thick trunk. The timber is of a close, compact 
texture, and very durable under water ; it is used in considerable quantities 
for ship-building/ and the export of black and yellow birch from this colony 
is carried on at a very extensive scale. Both these species are usually 
found mingled with ash and fir. The white birch is used for some purposes, 
but not to a great extent. 

Ash. — The several species known in this Province are the white ash. 
black ash and yelloxo ash. 

The white ash is not found in groves, but is scattered through those 
of rock maple, elm and oak ; it is sometimes met with in swamps, but is 
then of inferior growth. Wherever it is produced thriftily, the land is 
strong and highly productive. It often rises to the height of sixty feet, 
with a diameter of about two feet. The wood is white and very elastic ; 
when bent, it retains its position afterwards, and is much used for making 
oars, staves and agricultural implements. 

The black ash, like the white, requires strong moist soil ; it thrives best 



100 

in groves in flat alluvial lands, on the margins of brooks, and near the bot- 
tom of gentle acclivities where the soil is deep. It attains about a similar 
magnitude with the white ash, and is used for the same purposes ; but in 
consequence of the annular rings being easily separated, by percussion, it 
is employed in the manufacture of baskets and chairs. 

The yellow ash is abundant all over the Province ; it is found in low 
swamps, and generally in large groves. It is not much usedj except by 
coopers for hoops, and never grows to a large size, seldom exceeding six or 
eight inches in diameter, with a tall, slender stem. Wherever it flourishes, 
the land is strong, though very wet, and hard to bring into a state of cul- 
tivation. 

Poplar. — There are several species of the poplar, viz : the white poplar, 
the balsam poplar, and the common poplar. 

The ivhite and balsam poplars are not very plentiful ; the wood of both 
is of a light brittle nature, and they are consequently of little use except 
for ornamental purposes or shelter round gardens or inclosures. 

The common poplar is very abundant throughout the Province, it grows 
in a variety of soils, both arid and moist. In dry situations it is generally 
mixed with a small growth of spruce and white birch, and the soil is not 
strong ; but on moist land it is frequently accompanied with black ash, 
alder, and a low shrubbery, and here the soil is good and adapted for tillage. 
It is of stately growth, ascending 50 or 60 feet from the ground, with a 
long straight stem and without limbs ; it is often found two feet in diameter. 
The wood is of a whitish color, and of light porous texture ; and is much 
used in the construction of sleighs, waggons, and other vehicles, and also, 
in the inside finishing to rooms. 

Willow. — There are some varieties of the willow scattered over the Pro- 
vince, but none of them are appllied to any useful purpose, except for or- 
nament along the banks of streams and round inclosures. 

Butter -nut or Wal-nut. — This tree sometimes rises to the height of 
sixty feet, and is of proportionate diameter, its growth is not common to all 
parts of the Province ; although it can be cultivated. A ridge, known as 
Butternut ridge, in the north east of Kings' County, is the principal place 
where it is produced naturally. The timber equals in color the old Eng- 
lish Oak, and the open rafters of St. Ann's Chapel in Fredericton, afford 
some fine specimens. 

Elm. — The elm grows luxuriantly on the interval lands along the banks 
of rivers, and in meadows, where it is highly ornamental ; it is of greater 
height, and diameter than any of the trees we have enumerated ; having 
been known to reach 100 feet and to be four feet in diameter. The wood 
is very elastic and strong, and is generally employed in the construction of 
implements of husbandry and for domestic purposes. There are two species, 
the red elm, and white elm ; both stately trees. 

Hazel. — This is a low shrub, producing nuts ; it generally grows on 
rich land, and is to be found in most parts of the Province : it might easily 
be cultivated. 

Wild cherry. — The wild cherry tree seldom assumes any great magni- 
tude, generally appearing more like a shrub than a tree ; it grows abun- 
dantly in all new clearings. The wood is rarely of suitable size for any 
useful purpose. It produces a fruit which is not unpalatable, and if trans- 
planted, would make good stocks for grafting the finest kinds of cherry. 

Choke cherry. — This is a low shurb, growing along the borders of lakes, 



101 

and rivers, and in bogs. The berries are very astringent and not pajatable. 

Thorn, —This tree rarely attains as great a size as an apple tree ; it 
produces haws which afford food for partridges and^other birds. If culti- 
vated in the form of hedges, it would be both useful and ornamental ; it is 
somewhat scarce. 

Alder. — This is a low shrub to be found almost every where, but princi- 
pally in low, swampy, and moist land. The wood is little used except as 
charcoal. 

Hornbeam.— The hornbeam requires a rich, deep soil, similar to that 
producing the white ash, rock maple and oak ; it seldom grows more than 
30 or 40 feet in height, with a corresponding diameter. The wood is much 
used in the manufacture of agricultural implements. 

Species of Soft Wood, and their uses. 

Pine. — There are three species of pine, natives of the Province ; the 
white pine, red or Norway pine, and the grey pine. 

The white pine is the straightest, largest and most lofty tree in the North 
American forest, frequently acquiring the height of 160 feet, and a thick- 
ness of four feet ; indeed one may occasionally be found as high as 200 
feet, and with a diameter of five feet at the butt. The wood is the most 
universally employed of any iu the Colony ; it is used in the finishing of 
edifices of every description ; masts for larger class of ships are made 
of it, and deals, boards and square timber are all sawn from its trunk. The 
internal portion of the tree is found to be very durable, when free from sap 
and knots ; it is much used by cabinet makers. Wherever this species of 
the pine abounds, the soil is generally sandy, and not very favorable for the 
farmer ; however very large and thriving trees have been met with, inter- 
mixed with every variety of hardwood, along the banks of streams ; show- 
ing that it will grow in almost all varieties of soil ; its presence, therefore, 
is not at all times to be taken as a good indication of the quality of the 
land. 

The red pine, frequently called the pitch pine, and Norway pine, is 
highly impregnated with resinous matter ; and is very durable ; it does not 
attain more than half the size of the white pine, and a dry sandy soil is best 
suited to its growth, In consequence of its inferior size, and its having a 
very thick sap wood, it is not so much used as the white pine. 

The grey pine is a mere shrub, growing in poor sandy districts, which 
are entirely unfit for agriculture. 

Juniper. — This tree, which is also known by the names of larch) ta/ma- 
rac, hacmatac, but most commonly by the latter, is very common through- 
out New Brunswick ; it grows on a variety of soils, but never attains per- 
fection on very high land ; the lower and more swampy the soil, the better 
is the quality of the timber. Its diameter seldom exceeds two feet, but in 
confined and crowded places, it attains a great height. This wood is of 
incalculable value for ship-building, railway sleepers, foundations for wooden 
buildings, mill machinery; and other similar purposes, where it becomes 
alternately wet and dry. Hence arises the well known character, both for 
strength and durability, of ships constructed of this material, which are 
universally preferred to those built of any other North American timber. 
The tree is deciduous though reckoned among the soft woods. 

Fir. — This evergreen is very plentiful throughout the Province ; the 
soil on which it grows is well adapted for agriculture, and it often happens 



Cub) 



that land' formerly covered with hard-wood, when allowed tp relapse into 
forest, produces fir in great abundance. The wood is very durable when 
kept wet, and is used by coopers in the manufacture of buckets, tubs, bar- 
rels, and other similar utensils, ; when of sufficient size and soundness which 
is not often the case, it is sawn into deals and boards. The resinous matter 
with which the bark is strongly impregnated renders it medicinal, and the 
young trees planted round buildings and inclosures, besides affording shelter 
from winds and storms, would be both wholesome and ornamental. 

Spruce. — There are two kinds of spruce, the white and the black spruce. 

The white spruce is an inhabitant of moist land, and its abundance in- 
dicates that the soil is strong and of good quality. It generally grows large 
enough to be sawn into deals, and is never found in groves. The small 
branches of this tree are used, when young for making a wholesome drink, 
called spruce beer. 

The black spruce is the most common evergreen peculiar to the Province ; 
it is found in large groves, and on a variety of soils ; on the top of hills, 
and in the cariboo plains, it assumes a scrubby character, while where much 
crowded the trees are often not more than six inches in diameter with a 
height of forty or fifty feet clear from branches : thus furnishing good ma- 
terial for fencing, and a grove of this description called a poll grove is 
highly useful to the farmer. On more undulating grounds this tree is se- 
cond in height only to the pine and acquires a proportionate diameter. The 
land best adapted to the spruce is light and loamy, and where other descrip- 
tions of trees are intermixed, is found to be good tillage land. The impor- 
tance attached to the use of this wood, which ranks next to the pine for 
deals, boards, and battens, is shown by the immense quantity of those ar- 
ticles exported from the Province. In 1851, these two species gave their 
principal employment to 4,302 hands, 584 saw-mills, and a large fleet of 



Cedar. —There are large groves of this species in many parts of the Pro- 
vince : it is produced on low swampy land, but where the growth is thrifty, 
the soil being alluvial is considered strong, though cold and springy. The tim- 
ber is light and durable, and is therefore much esteemed for fencing, and for 
making shingles. This tree does not grow to a great size, and is frequently 
thick in proportion to its height, except where it may be numerous and 
crowded. 

Hemlock. — This species of evergreen is generally found mixed with rock 
maple, spruce, yellow birch, and beech. It requires a moist heavy soil, 
which by the application of lime, becomes good tillage land. There is not 
the same symmetry in the appearance of the hemlock, as in that of the spruce, 
it seldom grows so high but is much thicker. Large trees are rarely sound 
at the lower part of the trunk, and therefore the wood is not so much used 
as the spruce, though more durable under water. It is employed principal- 
ly for wharves, fences, and bridges, the greater part of which is submerged. 
The younger growth, being sound, has of late been exported for railway 
sleepers ; it is also much used for lath wood. The bark is highly important 
in the manufacture of leather. 

The following summary may be taken, though not without some 
slight exceptions , as a general directory to those t rarer sing the New 
Brunsivick forests , in search of land for a gr bull ural operations : 

First class soil. — This class of soil is generally wooded with oak, elm, 



103 

rock maple, alder, white ash, and hazel. 

Second class soils.— This class is usually interspersed with rock maple, 
black birch, fir, beech, spruce, and hemlock, or with black ash, horn bean, 
and cedar. 

Third class soils produce black spruce, wild cherry, and white birch. 

Fourth class soils are covered with pine, hacmatac, spruce, white maple 
swamp ash, and poplar. 

Notwithstanding the foregoiug arrangement will be found generally cor- 
rect, still a great deal depends on the thrifty and luxuriant appearance of 
the several descriptions of trees. 

It will be almost universally the case that land covered with the various 
kinds of hardwood, is richer than that producing softwood; this arises from 
the nutriment and warmth annually afforded to the soil by the falling of 
leaves and other decayed matter. And when hardwood land has been once 
cleared, and allowed again to grow up with soft wood (which always follows, 
and vice versa) the second growth, is softwood, always detracts from the 
strength of the soil, while on the contrary hardwood will improve it. This 
is more especially so, if one or two crops of grain, or other agricultural 
produce have been taken, as is often done, before the land is allowed, in this 
indolent manner, to revert to its original state. 

GEOLOGY. 

It will be foreign to oar present purpose to enter, in detail, upon this 
wild field of inquiry. There are several works extant with reference to the 
Geology of this Province : the principal being Dr. Gesner's explorations and 
reports, made, under the direction of the New Brunswick government, be- 
tween the years 1838 and 1844. We may also notice the report of Pro- 
fessor Johnston, in 1850, made under a similar authority. These reports 
were respectively illustrated with maps, shewing the Geological divisions of 
the Province. The survey made by the Professors had, for its principal ob- 
ject, " the agricultural capabilities of the Province," and he only entered 
upon the geolological field, as far that science indicated its agricultural ca- 
pabilities s ' by its geological structure." 

It is generally admitted, however, notwithstanding these explorations, 
that our knowledge of the Geology of New Brunswick is still in an infant 
state, nor will this excite surprise when w r e reflect on the fact that in much 
older countries, countries too in which empires have existed for ages, and 
in which art and science, assisted by ample means and by commercial enter- 
prize, are only now developing their resources of this nature. New mines 
of mineral wealth are being discovered beneath old cultivated fields, and 
time honored cities ; and there can be no fair comparison instituted between 
this Province, still retaining its youthful character, and w T hose discovery was 
almost of yesterday, and those older countries of Europe, hoary with na- 
tionality ; where, however Geological improvement and developement seems 
to be only on the dawn. It must be remembered that this Colony was in 
the lifetime of many still enjoying health and strength, "a wilderness and 
a solitary place," and until very recently, there was no place found for it on 
the map of the world. Even after its position was recognized, and mapped 
on a small scale, it has been hidden from any enterprising observation by 
the great Province of Canada ; on the north-west, by Maine, a member of 
the most powerful Republic on the face of the earth, on the south-west and 



104 

the invaluable Province of Nova Scotia, projecting far into the Atlantic on 
the south-east ; while the fertile island of Prince Edward intercepts it on 
the east. There is no one, however, who may have cast a casual glance at 
this Province, and who may possess a slight knowledge of the agricultural 
and mineral wealth of the countries surrounding it but will be justified in the 
conclusion, that, in addition to the resources already partially developed, there 
is still a nation's wealth lying dormant in its bowels. 

In turning from a general to a more particular description of the Pro- 
vince, so far as the geological explorations have gone, it will be comprised 
in the following principal divisions, namely : the grey sand stone ; the up- 
per Silurian system ; the Cambrian system ; the granite region ; the lower 
Silurian system ; red sand stone, and trap. 

The Grey Sand Stone, or coal formation, is the most extensive This 
field extends from Bathurst harbor, in the Bay Chaleur, nearly in the di- 
rection of St. Andrew's, on the Bay of Fundy, and to within about five 
miles of the county of Charlotte : thence nearly direct to Butternut Ridge, 
and thence to Bay Verte, including the principal part of the county of 
Westmoreland ; from the Nova Scotia boundary its limit runs along the 
eastern coast to Bathurst harbor. The area included within this outline, 
amounting to 7,000,000 acres, is over one-third of the contents of the whole 
Province. The outcrops of coal have been discovered in every one of the 
seven counties partaking of this formation, viz : on the Orimocto and Nash- 
wauk rivers, in the counties of York and Sunbury ; on the Grand Lake 
and its tributories, as well as on the Washademoak river, in the county of 
Queen's ; on the Petitcoudiac river and its tributories ; on Little Shemo- 
grie and Aboushagan rivers, in the county of Westmoreland ; on the Co- 
cagne, Buctouche and Richibucto rivers, in the county of Kent ; on the 
Miramichi, in the county of Northumberland, and on the sea board between 
Bathurst harbor and Caraquet Bay, in the county of Gloucester. Coal has 
also been discovered in the county of Albert, and on some parts of the coast 
near the head of the Bay of Fundy. 

The Upper Silurian System, includes the northern region of the Pro- 
vince ; the counties of Eestigouche, Victoria, and parts of Carleton and 
Northumberland, being another third of the whole area. Little has yet 
been ascertained as to the geological character of this section, as the explo- 
rations have been very limited ; but the extent and quality of the land arc 
beyond dispute, highly favorable for agricultural settlement. Small tracts 
are covered with granite, trap, gypsum and limestone, and iron ore is found 
in great abundance at Woodstock, in the county of Carleton. The strata 
of this system consists of a series of beds lying above each other, and. ac- 
cording to geologists, frequently abound in organic remains. Much further 
investigation is required before any opinion can be formed as to the real 
character of this division, or as to the application of its minerals to the 
commercial advancement of the Province. 

The Cambrian System, or clay slate rocks, forms two tracts or belts : 
one of which extends from Bathurst harbor through Gloucester, Northum- 
berland, York and Carleton to the American boundary: the other, divided 
from the first by a narrow ridge of granite, gniess, Ac., runs from Glouces- 
ter through Northumberland, York, Charlotte, and parts of Sunbury, 
Queen's and King's. 

The granite region, with the exception of a few spots in Charlotte, St. 
John, Queen's, and some other places, is principally confined to a ridge ex- 



105 

tending from Bathurst harbor to the Ohipitneticook Lakes, on the St. Croix 
river. 

The Lower Silurian System extends from the gypsum quarries, in Al- 
bert county, along the Bay of Fundy, in a narrow ridge through St. John 
and Charlotte counties. It is composed of rocks of a slaty nature, and, in 
this Province, indicates poor land. 

Red Sand Stone, or Lower Carboniferous System. — This formation is 
met with iu the counties of Westmoreland, Albert and King's. There are 
also some tracts in Restigouche, Carleton, St John and Charlotte counties. 
This formation comprises a great variety of soils, much of which, however, 
when properly managed, is highly productive. 

Trap. — The extent of country over which this division runs, is not very 
extensive in any one place ; yet there are beds of it interspersed through- 
out most of the others, except the carboniferous or coal formation. The 
counties of King's and Restigouche contain the largest extent ; and in them, 
and other parts of this Province, the trap, syenite, or felspar rock, ia too 
hard to allow the atmosphere to have much influence in decomposing, as is 
the case in some countries. Thus the lands included in this division are 
difficult and costly of cultivation. 

Having thus defined the main divisions of the Province, as laid down by 
geologists, we will attempt to describe, more practically, those minerals 
which enter, or ought to enter, economically speaking, into the commercial 
operations of the country ; these principally consist of iron, coal, lime, gyp- 
sum, &c. 

Iron is found more or less extensively in all parts of the Province, 
Along the margin of the river Saint John and its tributories, as far as ex- 
plorations have yet gone, this one appears to be most abundant. Professor 
Johnston, speaking cursorily of the ores of the Province (page 141), says : 
" Ores of iron abound in some localities, and especially the hoematite va- 
riety, now smelted in the neighborhood of Woodstock. In the absence of 
coal, this ore may be smelted, as somewhat similar ores are in Sweden, so 
as to form a valuable article of home production for home use, and even for 
exportation ; but it cannot hope to compete, in the great iron market of the 
world, with the productions of the various quick- working furnaces which 
are fed with fossil food." The Professor here refers to the tardiness con- 
nected with the manufacture of iron without coal ("fossil fuel.") 

A bed of iron ore exists within three miles of Woodstock. ' ! These beds 
of iron," says Dr. Ge3ner, in his third report, "can be traced to the dis- 
tance of half a mile ; they doubtless extend to a great distance, and may 
be found crossing the Saint John. The ore itself is distinctly stratified, 
and conforms to the position of the strata of slate ; and the difference o 
quality in different beds is not such a^ will materially affect its properties 
for working in a furnace. The ore is a compact red or reddish-brown 
hoematite, or the hydrous per-oxide of iron. Wherever it is exposed to the 
atmosphere, its color becomes changed to black or dark blue. The analysis 
of a specimen from the middle of the bed gave — 
XXXVII. Per-oxide of iron, 78,40 

Silica, 1,20 

Alumina, 5,80 

Water, 12,63 

Per-oxide of Manganese, a trace. 

98,00." 
16 



106 

According to Dr. Gesner, this bed of ore is separated by two strata slate of 
great thickness ; the ore lies in three separate strata, respectively, of 28, 
15 and 27 feet, making the " total thickness of ore 70 feet." A foundry 
has been established in this vicinity; and in 1851. there were 770 tons of 
iron smelted. 

There are many other localities in which excellent iron ore has been dis- 
covered. A large deposit was found in 1838, on the Merepis road, and river 
St. John, below Eredericton, by Dr. Gesner, who speaks of it thus: " I 
was unable to ascertain the exact width of this bed, on account of the col- 
lections of detrities always covering a part of the basal. Its thickness was 
uncovered at one place to the distance of 20 yards, and at another no less than 
60 yards. It'doubtless exceeds the largest of ordinary deposits of this kind, and 
would supply the whole of America with iron, for many ages. Being exposed 
on the surface, it can be quarried like freestone ; and its removal and use are 
rendered easy on account of its slaty structure, which allows it to be broken up 
with the greatest facility. Three varieties of the ore were found, namely, the 
hydrate of iron, aggillaceous oxide of iron, and hcematite'; upon an average, 
they will yield forty per cent, of pure iron, a richness seldom possessed by 
the ores extensively worked in England. Every advantage is afforded for 
manufacturing the iron of this bed. It runs through a forest of hardwood, 
that will supply an abundance of charcoal, and limestone was afterwards 
found, suitable for a flux, within a short distance of its range. But should 
there be no enterprize to erect furnaces for the smelting of iron, the time 
has arrived when it will yield a profit by being shipped to England and the 
United States. Its proximity to the navigable Saint John, and the sea, are 
objects of the highest importance : and many years will not pass away be- 
fore it will meet the demand now supplied by other countries. The value 
of such a discovery, although by no means complete, is too obvious to re- 
quire a remark.' 7 

Feruginous matter is very abundant throughout the Province ; almost all 
the rocky deposits appear to contain a large portion, and hence arises the diffi- 
culty, and (without a great deal of care and attention) the uncertainty of mak- 
ing surveys of land with instruments governed by the magnetic-needle. Still 
the country is too young to adopt the remedy, the Theodolite. In the first 
place, the cost of purchasing such instruments to the Surveyor, and second- 
ly, the cost to the employer in having surveys executed with such instru- 
ments, will not, at this early stage of the progress of the Province, warrant 
its general adoption ; the time, however, is not far distant when necessity 
will compel the use of this improved instrument, especially in the public 
surveys. It is somewhat astonishing, especially to the European Engineer, 
who has long discarded the use of instruments directed by the magnetic 
needle in the surveys of his own country, to see with what accuracy a Pro- 
vincial surveyor, who understands his business, will, with a good instru- 
ment of the old description, make his surveys close, even through the thick- 
est woods and for a long distance. The writer, while running the division 
line between the Counties of Sunbury and Queen's, on the north-east side 
of the St. John, experienced a difficulty of this nature. Immediately after 
crossing the Gaspereau river, (one of the tributaries to Grand Lake.) 
whose banks are very high, the magnetic needle showed strong indications 
of the presence of iron ore ; which on examination, was found to extend 
about one third of a mile from the river, in the direction of the survey ; 
and the instrument became utterly useless in extending the line over this 



107 

feruginous section. The ore appeared similar in quality to that discovered 
by Dr. Gesner on the Merepis road and the St. John river ; and there is 
probably a large area of this ore between the Gaspereau and Salmon rivers. 

Coal. — If we consider the extent of surface covered by the coal forma- 
tion of the Province, the difference in the depths or thickness of the veins 
found in the deposits already discovered, as well as the various qualities 
they display, we may fairly come to the conclusion that the coal region of 
this Colony is of vast importance to its future prosperity. 

The Asphaltic coal, or Alhertite, as it is some times called, of Albert 
county, which is so highly esteemed on this side of the Atlantic, especially 
for the production of gas, though an anomaly, forms beds of great thick- 
ness ; and it certainly widely differs, both in its position and properties, 
from any of the other varieties of coal which ha?e been hitherto found either 
in the United States or in the British North American Colonies. In addi- 
tion to this highly bituminous mineral, the Province possess the common or 
ordinary bituminous coal, cannel, anthracite, and lignite coal : it has, in 
fact been discovered in nearly forty different places, yet the quantity raised 
is exceedingly small. It is universally admitted by those best acquainted 
with the agricultural capabilities of the Province, that, if manufactures 
were established they would form centres, as it were, of trade and industry, 
and thus create markets for the produce of the farmer ; and t^at the cul- 
ture of the land would consequently flourish to a greater extent than has 
yet been experienced in our Colonial History. It is well known too, that 
both these branches of industry, when in a healthy state, re-act on each other, 
and promote a natural prosperity ; and if agriculture be considered the 
foundation, as many statesmen contend, of national wealth, yet unless the 
superstructure be added, the building is incomplete, and all parts of it are 
comparatively useless. If this reasoning be correct, we may appeal to the 
experience of the most thriving districts in England and the States, for am- 
ple proof that this superstructure cannot be raised, in the present state of 
manufacturing science, without an abundant supply of fossil fuel. Steam 
is now the great agent in every branch of manufacture, as well as in the 
most economical and expeditious mode of transit, and it follows, of course, 
that no establishment of that nature can be successfully planted, without a 
full developement of the mineralogical character of the country. 

It may perhaps be contended that we might produce many of the arti- 
cles used in the Province by substituting wood for coal. To a certain ex- 
tent, for a limited period, and under a high restrictive system, this might 
perhaps be done, but there can be little doubt that it would be ultimately 
injurious by destroying foreign intercourse and commercial connection, the 
only safeguards against Provincial retrogression. And the products of our 
manufactories, limited and expensive as they would be, could not enter the 
foreign markets, in competition with those of the countries in which coal is 
employed as the primary agent. 

It follows, therefore that, among the numerous branches of Provincial 
industry requiring the attention of our Legislature, as well as of the pub- 
lic in general, none stands more prominently forward than the develope- 
ment of the coal formation of the Province. An immediate, thorough and 
practical exploration and a full report of the extent, quality and position of 
its various coal deposits, by persons of competent authority, is a desidera- 
tum of no small importance both to the agricultural and commercial inter- 
ests of the Colony, In support of this view of the subject, the following 



108 

extract from the report of Professor Johnston, before referred to, will, we 
are certain, be conclusive with all who have bestowed due attention on the 
subject: — "The existence of available beds of coal in the Province, has 
hitherto been looked upon more in an exclusively manufacturing and mer- 
cantile, than in an agricultural light. Iron ore is raid to be abundant, and 
if coal could be found to smelt it, centres of industry would spring up : 
which would enhance the price of agricultural produce in their neighbor- 
hood. This is true, but the actual existence of the coal would render un- 
necessary the large growth of wood for fuel, and would thus set free a great 
extent of land for the exercise of rural industry, and the growth of corn. 
On the other hand, if this iron is to be smelted with wood, the extent of 
the manufacture, however, desirable in other respects, would greatly increase 
the demand for fuel, or of land to be kept in perpetual forest, and would, 
in like proportion, lesson the agricultural resources of the Province. 

The existence, and possibility of profitably working beds of coal in New 
Brunswick, is as important therefore to the agricultural as it is to the other 
interests — to the developement of the agricultural resources of the differ- 
ent parts of the Province, and to the formation of any thing like a correct 
estimate of the extent of those resources/' 

Lime-stone. — This useful substance is principally composed of lime and 
carbonic acid, and has been discovered in almost every county of the Pro- 
vince ; its extent and uses for building, and especially for agricultural pur- 
poses, require no further notices than those given under the heads of agri- 
culture and commerce, and in the description of the several counties, where 
the other rocks and minerals are also referred to. 

Gypsum is known to exist in several localities in the Province, but more 
abundantly in Restigouche, Victoria, Gloucester, Kings' , Albert and West- 
moreland counties ; in the three latter, nearly in the direction of the Rail- 
way now in course of construction between Shediac and Saint John. The 
uses of this valuable mineral are similar to those of lime, and in an agricul- 
tural point of view, as well as for exportation to the United States, it is 
highly important. It is composed of lime and sulphuric acid. 

Copper. — A deposit of copper ore, said to be oi great value, has recently 
been discovered on the property of the Messrs. Bull, about six miles below 
Woodstock. Should this turn out to be sufficiently extensive to be worked 
profitably, it will be an important addition to the minerals of the Province, 
and form no small item in the St. Andrew's railway traffic. 

Lead is reported to exisf at or near Horton in Kings' County, Campo 
Bello, Tobique and in some other parts of the Province. 

The following list of the rocks and minerals of this Province, is extracted 
from " New Brunswick," by Dr. Gesner : (p. 353.) 

Granite, ilron Ore (abundant) 

Syenite, Hornstone 

Roofing Slate Thompsonite 

Porphyry Stilbite 

Mica Slate Apopbylite 

Limestone 'Hornblende 

Hydraulic Limestone Feldspar 

Marble Chlorite 

Alum Slate Garnets 

Coal Talc 

Graphite or Plumbago Asbestos 



109 



Ochres Magnesite 

Carbonate of Lime Sulphate of Barytes 

Manganese Ores Gypsum 

Galena or Lead Ore Potters clay 

Grindstones 'Fireclay 

Freestone Sulphate of Iron 

Sulphuret of copper Tourmaline 

Amethyst Serpentine 

Agate Iron Sand 

Jasper Iserine 

Springs. 

Salt jCarburetted Hydrogen 

Sulphureous Feruginous. 

A more detailed description of the minerels of the Province, will be found 
under the head of the Counties, hereafter described. 

AVENUE. 

The subject of general revenue is one of so wide and varied a nature, 
that it is extremely difficult to arrive at a principal on which to base our rea- 
soning or our calculations. It is true that wherever man is found in a ci- 
vilized state, there must be a revenue raised for the support of civil and 
military organizations. 

Next, the great question of principle arises, whether this revenue should 
be raised by direct or indirect taxation, or whether both modes should be 
resorted to. It has hitherto been the practice of most nations to levy taxes, 
by legislative enactment, on nearly all articles imported from foreign coun- 
tries : and even articles of export have, under pome circumstances, been 
made subject to such restrictions, Most political economists, however, now 
agree that raw material imported for the purpose of manufacture, ought to 
be unburthened by any impost. 

Although the principal part of the revenue of all countries is paid indi- 
rectly by the consumer of the goods taxed, yet it is difficult to induce the 
people in general to submit to a direct tax for the same purposes. The 
adoption of a judicious system of municipal corporations by a public suffi- 
ciently intelligent to carry it out, would, perhaps, be the first step for such 
an object, by giving the people power and control over the funds raised for 
local improvements, and. consequently, over their own want3 of that nature. 
This would tend to lessen the amount of legislative duties, and diminish 
the sum required for general objects, as well as probably secure a more 
wholesome expenditure of the monies raised by local and direct taxation on 
local objects and improvements. The opinions, however, differ, as to the 
results of these institutions, and but few countries have yet adopted them. 
We have information of the satisfactory working of the municipal principle 
in the United States and in Canada, where it has been sometime in opera- 
tion. There is one condition absolutely necessary to the successful working 
of any law in a free country : that it should be satisfactory to the main 
body of the people ; and this is more especially the case with regard to any 
enactment of the nature we are now speaking of ; which requires, also, in 
those to whom its operations are entrusted, a well directed intelligence, a 
general knowledge of public business, and of the wants of the people, to- 



110 

gether with due attention to the observance and administration of its regu- 
lations. 

We should be happy to see a good, wholesome law of this nature in opera- 
tion in New Brunswick, where the increasing intelligence, and business-like 
habits of the people are sufficient to warrant its adoption, and to induce the 
belief that they would soon see the advantage and economy of local and di- 
rect taxation for all local purposes, the fund being both raised and applied 
by officers appointed by themselves for educational and such other objects 
as they should themselves direct. The law now on the face of the statute 
book of the Province, the adoption of which is left optional with the people 
of any county, appears to be a mere initiation of the principle ; and is not 
likely to diminish, but rather to increase the labors of the Provincial Le- 
gislature. It is true that it gives the people power to tax themselves for 
the advancement of education, and other local purposes ; but it makes no 
provision for the payment of the principal officers. We hold it as a prin- 
ciple, that the laborer is worthy of his hire, and have ever observed that 
unremunerated labor is seldom worth having, being, for the most part, ne- 
gligently or slovenly performed. 

This Province, since the year 1837, has had the control of all " heredi- 
tary, territorial, and casual revenues, and of all sales and leases of lands, 
woods, mines and royalties" within its limits : upon condition of its raising 
the annual sum of .£14,500 as a civil list. This sum, with the exception 
of £1000 per annum annually paid to King's College, is principally ex- 
pended in payment of the Lieutenant Governor's salary, the Judges, and 
heads of departments. 

As the imposition of duties, and the amounts imposed, are liable to 
change, it becomes impossible to give any useful table of the articles sub- 
ject to taxation, inasmuch as the Legislature may, at any time, increase or 
diminish the imposts on all or any description of goods ; indeed, considera- 
ble alterations have recently been made in order to carry out the previsions 
of the Elgin treaty, which will probably render a complete revision of the 
tariff necessary in the next session. The duties are, however, divided into 
two classes, specific and ad valorem ; in the first are included most articles 
of luxury, and many of general consumption, which are taxed at so much 
for a specified weight or quantity ; those in the latter class are charged a 
certain per centage on every one hundred pounds value. 

The revenue arising from the payments made by vessels passing the light 
houses, buoys and beacons, and also the post office, form large items in the 
Provincial receipts ; while the sums obtained from these sources do little 
more than keep up the several establishments, if indeed they are sufficient 
for these purposes. Both these objects are merely expected to be self- 
sustaining, being established and supported for the general convenience, and 
the commercial improvement of the country. 

A great part of the duties on articles of the growth or manufacture of 
the other North American Colonies have been abolished : but they are still 
retained on many articles ; and payment is also exacted in respect of any 
foreign goods which may have paid duties in these colonies, and be re- 
exported to New Brunswick. 

A law is now in existence imposing an export duty on lumber, but as it 
expires in April, 1855, it is needless to specify the particular descriptions 
on which it is payable ; especially as there must be some alteration with 
regard to it, if not a total repeal, to carry out the present arrangements 
with the United States. 



Ill 

The financial year of the Province terminates with that of the calendar ; 
and, therefore, the journals of each successive session exhibit the receipts and 
payments up to the 31st December of the previous year. If we refer to 
those for 1843, we shall find the fiscal state of the Province for the year 
previously to have been as follows : 

Total amount of Provincial liabilities, ,£162,571 

Estimated assets, 87,905 



Balance against the Province, £74,666 

Thus it will be seen that at this time the Province was heavily in debt ; 
and this burthen seems to have been begun to be imposed soon after the 
surrender to her of the control over the territorial and casual revenues. 
Though this additional power was considered as a great boon, yet it would 
appear that the public men of the country then at the head of affairs were 
not calculated to conduct her business with proper economy, and the con- 
sequences of their extravagance involved the Province in the heavy burthen 
of the above balance, which it has required all the years that have since 
elapsed to liquidate. From the necessity to keep up public credit, and to 
maintain the public service, as well as to discharge its liability, an addition- 
al duty of one per cent, was imposed on all British and foreign goods im- 
ported, until the whole was paid off, which was only effected in the last 
year. 

But though the Province was then considered to be free from debt, and 
the one per cent, duty is no longer collected, yet she is still under some 
heavy liabilities, which may, and probably will, be liquidated by the proper 
parties. We allude to the sums advanced by Provincial debentures to the 
sufferers by the great fires, both at St. John and Fredericton. 

The Province is also responsible for a large amount in respect of the rail- 
ways now in progress ; but the principal is not, it is true, payable for a 
long period of years, within which it is fully believed that these great works 
will at least be self-sustaining. Should this be the case, and should the 
Colony continue its advances in the same ratio it has hitherto adopted, it 
ought to have, and no doubt will possess, a large disposable fund for the 
opening up her hidden wealth, and rendering available her vast latent re- 
sources. 

The various places, or ports, in the Province, where duties are collected, 
are : — 

On the Bay of Fundy and its tribuiories : 

Grand Manan, Woodstock, 

Campo Bello, Harvey, 

St. George, Hillsborough, 

St. Stephen, Monkton (the Bend), 

St. Andrews, Dorchester, 

Saint John, Sackville. 

Fredericton, 

On the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Straits 

Bay Verte, Shippegan, 

Shediac, Caraquette, 

Buctouche, Bathurst, 

Kichibucto, Dalhousie. 

Miramichi, 



112 



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The value (in sterling money) of the imports and exports of the Province 
for the last five years, are as follows : 



1850. 



1851. 



1852. 



1853. 



Imports, 
Exports, 



815,531 
658,018 



980,300 
772,024 



1,110,600 
796,335 



1,716,108 
1,072J491 



This table also shew3 a commensurate increase with that in the last table. 

The total number of ships entered inwards and outwards, in the different 
ports of New Brunswick, for the years 1835, 1845, 1852 and 1853, were 
as follows : 



1835 





Vessels. 


Tons. 


Men. 


Inwards, 


2,467 


298,993 


14.467 


Outwards, 


2,261 


322,200 


14,556 


Inwards, 


2,455 


396,792 




Outwards, 


2,434 


425,638 


- 


Inwards, 


2,580 


539,336 


21,556 


Outwards, 


2,672 


581,472 


23,296 


Inwards, 


3,556 


627,270 




Outwards, 


3,929 


681,478 





1845 

1852 \ 



1853 

Of these, there were entered inwards, in the Bay of Fundy, 

in 1852, 1,831 vessels. 

In the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Straits, 749 " 

It will be observed that, while there has not been a very great increase in 
the number of vessels entered inwards in 1852 over those of 1835, still the 
tonnage has almost doubled ; evidently shewing that the vessels recently 
built are of much larger class than those in use twenty years ago. 

The increase in the number of ships owned by this Province is very great. 
In 1782 the gross amount of tonnage owned by the 

Province was only 250 tons. 

In 1835, 80,830 " 

In 1851, it owned 18 steamboats, measuring 1,577 

And 778 sailing vessels, " 116,711 

118,288 tons. 

In 1853, it owned 827 vessels, making 114,588 " 

Which will allow over a ton and a half to each man, woman and child in 
the Province. 

New Brunswick builds at the rate of 120 vessels per annum, amounting 
to 60,000 tons,— worth at least £500,000 sterling. 

England, in 1588, only owned 135 merchant vessels, not very many 
more than this unknown colony builds in one year. 

The value of the products of the forest floated down the river St. Law- 
rence in 1852, was (currency) .£483,450. 

The total value of New Brunswick fisheries, within the Bay of Fundy 
in 1850, was £65,875. 

The sum of £100,000, including the civil list, will meet annually, all 
the ordinary expenses of the Province ; but there is usually expended about 
£30,000 per annum in defraying contingencies. 
17 



114 

Of the number of vessels which entered inwards in 1852, there were 
86,893 tons from the United Kingdom ; 344,257 tons from the United 
States; 99,642 tons from British Colonies; -and the remainder from for- 
eign nations — and of those which entered outwards, 353.013 tons sailed for 
ports in the United Kingdom ; 135,580 tons for the United States; 86.652 
tons for ports in the British Colonies ; and the remainder for foreign states ; 
In 1853, there were 98,592 tons from the United Kingdom, 405,345 from 
the States ; 110.414 tons from British Colonies, and the remainder from 
foreign nations. And there entered outwards, to United Kingdom 413,790 
tons; to United States 188,523 tons ; British Colonies 102,210 tons and 
the rest to foreign states. 

Abstract of "A Treaty extending the right of fishing and regulating the 
commerce and navigation between her Brittannic Majesty's possessions in 
North America and the United States," concluded on the 5th June, 1854, 
called the Elgin Treaty. 

The first article provides " that in addition to the liberty secured to the 
United States Fishermen by the Convention of October 20th, 1818, of tak- 
ing, curing, and drying fish on certain coasts of the British North American 
Colonies therein defined, the inhabitants of the United States shall have in 
common with the subjects of her Britannic Majesty, the liberty to take fish 
of every kind, except shell fish, on the sea coasts and shores, and in the 
bays, harbors, and creeks of Canada. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince 
Edward Island, and of the several islands thereunto adjacent, without being 
restricted to any distance from the shore ; with permission to land upon the 
coasts and shores of these colonies, and the islands thereof, and also upon 
the Magdalen Islands, for the purpose of drying their nets, and curing their 
fish ; provided that, in so doing, they do not interfere with the rights of pri- 
vate property, or with British fishermen in the peaceable use of any part 
of the said coast in their occupancy for the same purpose. 

It is understood that the above mentioned liberty applies solely to the sea 
fishery, and that the salmon and shad fisheries, and all fisheries in rivers, 
and the mouths of rivers, are hereby reserved exclusively, for British fish- 
ermen." 

It is agreed " that in order to prevent or settle any dispute as to the 
places to which the reservation of exclusive right to British fishermen con- 
tained in this article, and that of fishermen of the United States contained 
in the next succeeding article apply," each of the contracting parties shall 
appoint a commissioner. The commissioners are, before proceeding to busi- 
ness, to make a solemn declaration that they will impartially decide " upon all 
such places as are intended to be reserved and excluded from the common 
liberty of fishing under this and the next succeeding article." Provision is 
then made for the nomination of an umpire, who is to make a similar decla- 
ration and for the appointment of new commissioners. Umpire, in case of 
death, absence, or incapacity, or of either omitting, declining, or ceasing to 
act. 

"Such commissioners shall proceed to examine the coasts of the North 
American Provinces, and of the United States embraced within the provi- 
sions of the first and second articles of this treaty, and shall designate pla- 
ces reserved by the said articles from the common right of fishing therein. 

The decision of the commissioners and of the arbitrator or umpire shall 
be given in writing in each case, and shall be signed by them respectively." 



115 

The parties solemnly engage to consider such decision as final and con- 
clusive in each case. 

By the second article it is agreed " that British subjects shall have, in 
common with the citizens of the United States, the liberty to take fish of 
every kind, except shell-fish, on the eastern sea coasts, and shores of the 
United States, north of the 36th parallel of north latitude, and on the shores 
of the several islands thereunto adjacent, and in the bays, harbors and creeks 
of the said sea, coasts, and shores of the United States, and of the said islands, 
without being restricted to any distance from the shore, with permission to 
land upon the said coasts of the United States and of the islands aforesaid, 
for the purpose of drying their nets, and curing their fish." With a Pro- 
viso similar to that in the first article as to interference with the rights of 
private property, or with the fishermen of the United States— and a reser- 
vation of the salmon and shad fisheries, and the fisheries in rivers, and 
mouths of rivers. 

The third Article enumerates the articles " the growth and produce of 
the aforesaid British Colonies, or of the United States, which shall be ad- 
mitted into each country respectively free of duty. 3 ' 

Schedule, 

Grain, Flour and Bread-stuffs of all kinds, 

Animals of all kinds, 

Fresh, smoked and salted meats, 

Cotton-wool, seeds and vegetables. 

Undried fruits, dried fruits, 

Fish of all kinds, 

Products of fish, and of all other creatures living in the water, 

Poultry, eggs, 

Hides, furs, skins, or tails, (undressed) 

Stone or marble, in its crude or unwrought state. 

Slate, 

Butter, cheese, tallow 

Lard, horns, manuers ; 

Coal, 

Pitch, tar, turpentine, ashes, 

Timber and lumber of all kinds, round, hewed, and sawed, unmanufactured 

in whole or in part, 
Firewood, 

Plants, shrubs, and trees, 
Pelts, wool, 
Fish oil, 

Rice, broom-corn, and bark, 
Gypsum, ground or unground, 
Hewn or wrought, or unwrought, burr or grindstones, 
Dye stuffs, 

Flax, hemp, and tow, unmanufactured, 
Unmanufactured tobacco, 
Hags. 

The fourth article throws open the navigation of the river St. Lawrence, 
atid the canals, in Canada* to the oitiaens ana inhabitants of the United States, 
subject to the usual torn and assessments 5 but the British Government 



116 

may suspend this privilege on giving due notice thereof to the government 
of the United States. 

In case of such suspension, the operation of article 3, in so far as the 
Province of Canada is concerned, may be also suspended by the United 
States, for so long as the suspension of the navigation of the St. Lawrence 
or the canals may continue. 

A similar right freely to navigate Lake Michigan is given to British sub- 
jects so long as that of navigating the St. Lawrence shall be secured to 
American citizens ; and the government of the United States engages to 
urge upon the State governments to secure to British subjects the use of 
the several canal3 on terms of equity with the inhabitants of the United 
States. 

No export or other duty is to be levied on lumber or timber of any kind 
cut on American territory, in Maine, watered by the St. John and its tri- 
butaries, and floated down that river to the sea, when shipped to the United 
States. 

The fifth article provides for the treaty taking effect as soon as the laws 
required to carry it into operation shall have been passed by the Imperial 
Parliament of Great Britain, and by the Provincial Parliaments of those 
of the British North American Colonies which are affected by it, on the 
one hand, and by the Congress of the United States on the other. It is to 
remain in force for ten years after the date of its coming into operation, 
after which it may be determined by twelve months notice from either of the 
contracting parties. But that stipulation is not to affect the reservation by 
article 4, as to a suspension of the free navigation of the St. Lawrence and 
Lake Michigan. 

The 6th article agrees that the treaty may be extended to Newfoundland 
if the Imperial Parliament, the Provincial Parliament of Newfoundland, and 
the Congress of the United States should embrace that Colony in their 
laws for giving it effect. 

The 7th article merely provides for the exchange of ratifications. 

This treaty has, of course, excited considerable notice, and created a vast 
deal of discussion throughout the whole of British North America. In 
Canada public opinion and the voice of the Legislature seem to have been 
unanimous in its favor ; but it may be argued that that Province having so 
little sea coast, but possessing so long a frontier conterminous with the States, 
to the inhabitants on which free intercourse must be beneficial and yielding, 
besides great abundance of agricultural productions, many of which find 
markets in the States, stands in a different position from the maritime Pro- 
vinces. Prince Edward Island, deeply interested in the fisheries, and pos- 
sessing a great extent of coast in proportion to its area, gave its ready ac- 
quiescence, and there appears to be but one opinion that the benefits to arise 
from the more unrestrained resort of American fishermen, by the markets 
for agricultural produce thus opened, and the free admission of British 
caught fish to the seaports of the Union, would counterbalance the compe- 
tition in the shore fisheries, to say nothing of the free trade in many articles 
effected by the treaty. It is in Nova Scotia that the greatest objections have 
been urged, and it has been argued that the American concessions are ina- 
dequate to those made by the Provinces ; the same opinion, though to a less 
extent, has existed in New Brunswick ; and some little feeling has been 
evinced with regard to the manner in which thg treaty was concluded as 
though these Colonies had not been suificienfly consulted, or allowed an or . 



117 

tunity of expressing their opinions. It must be recollected, however, that 
the prerogative of concluding treaties, belongs exclusively to the Sovereign 
Executive, and that in exercising it they have to consider the benefit to arise 
to the whole or the majority of a people. It may frequently happen that some 
Province, or small section of an Empire may receive temporary injury from 
a measure highly advantageous to the whole body, and perhaps ultimately 
beneficial to the parties at first apprehending injustice. There are many 
instances in England as well as in every other nation where partial interests 
have been obliged to give way to the public good. Perhaps it would have 
been better if the delegates from all the Provinces had had an opportunity of 
laying their views before Mr. Crampton, pending the negotiation ; but if the 
measure is beneficial in its results, it is hardly worth while to quarrel with 
it on this account. The question resolves itself into the good or evil to 
result from it to the Lower Provinces. 

We pass over the liberty of fishing on certain coasts of the Union as 
trivial and unimportant; not so however, the admission to their markets 
which must be regarded as a valuable privilege. The fisheries under pro- 
per regulations, appear to be inexhaustible, and even if this treaty had not 
been made, it would have been impossible to prevent frequent encroachments, 
without compensation on our extensive sea coast. To say that the Provin- 
cial fishermen cannot compete successfully on their own shores, and at home, 
with those who have to come so many hundred miles, is surely entertaining 
a very poor opinion of the energy, industry, and enterprize of our own 
countrymen ; with a fair field, and no favor, and with many advantages in 
the cost of building and the outfit of our vessels, there is, we trust, no rea- 
son to despair of a profitable result to those who may share in the supply 
of the vast markets now open to them. 

If we look at the list of articles to be henceforth admitted free of duty, 
we find many whose import is absolutely necessary to us — we cannot raise 
sufficient breadstuffs for our consumption — we import pork and other meats, 
and there are many of the items which we now require, and many others 
which will be wanted should extensive manufactures ever spring up in these 
Provinces. But our export trade must we think inevitably, be increased by 
the operation of the treaty besides that in fish. Our excellent building 
stone and slate, which can be procured without limit, and close to the shore, 
potatoes and other roots produced here in far greater perfection than in the 
States, butter and cheese, grindstones, and gypsum, will without doubt, be 
largely exported, and these branches of industry, will give employment to 
many thousands who will derive a large portion of their food from our soil, 
will look for their clothing and tools to the industry of our mechanics. Our 
timber trade, hitherto dependant solely on the fluctuations of the English 
markets, will have another very extensive channel opened for it and us ; 
even fire wood has to some extent been carried from both Provinces to Bos- 
ton, even when subject to a duty of 20 per cent., we may anticipate a con- 
siderable trade in articles of that description when it shall be totally free 
and unrestricted. Nova Scotia possesses, it is well known, inexhaustible 
supplies of bituminous coal, and there is every reason to believe that our 
own Province is not less amply provided with this necessary of life. The 
principal part of the coal of the United States being anthracite, is not well 
adapted for open fires, or for the manufacture of gas. and this, if there 
should be sufficient enterprize found in the Provinces to explore and open 
their mineral riches> will eventually afford the means of support to a popu- 



118 

lation far outnumbering these counted by the last census. The Iron and 
other ores may be exported to the same markets in their raw state, or it 
may be found more profitable to manufacture them at home, but in either 
case, though perhaps more advantageously in the latter, another great star 
pie of industry must be brought within the grasp of Provincial enterprize. 
On the whole, therefore, we entertain no doubt that the Elgin Treaty will 
be the beginning of a new era in the commerce of New Brunswick and 
Nova Scotia, and it ought to unite exertion and stimulate industry to the 
realization of the prospects thus laid open to our view. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The facilities presented by this Province for manufacturing operations are 
numerous and extensive. The forest, the mineral, and the agricultural ca- 
pabilities afford a wide latitude ; and would, if properly carried out, prove 
as highly remunerative as those of any other country on the American con- 
tinent. "A vast field for skill and industry is indeed offered in this depart- 
ment. Coal and iron are abundant, but we import these essential produc- 
tions. Wood of every variety is most plentiful in our forests ; yet how 
many articles of that manufacture, including all our agricultural imple- 
ments— in fact, a large proportion of every thing we use for domestic pur- 
poses — are supplied to us by foreigners 7 

It is well known that at the present day, coal, the great agent in pro- 
ducing steam, forms the basis of all manufacturing operations ; and that the 
comparative cheapness of its supply, by lessening the cost, greatly extends 
the sale of every description of manufacture. In this colony, besides an 
ample supply of wood, there is little doubt of an abundance of coal to car- 
ry on the most extensive works ; but even if this were deficient, nature has 
bestowed on us an enormous water power, produced by its innumerable 
streams, and applicable to the driving machinery, at an almost nominal cost. 
Superadded to this advantage, are the boundless quantities and varieties of 
timber contained in the forests ; the inexhaustible supplies of mineral ores 
in the bowels of the earth, and the fertile soil, capable of producing food 
for a large population. With these advantages, New Brunswick might, if 
she possessed the other requisites— capital and labor — supply a large por- 
tion of the American continent with almost every description of manufac- 
tured goods. 

A country which raises as fine sheep as any that can be found on this 
continent, and in which no less than 168,088 were kept in 1851, while it 
could profitably maintain more than twice the number, ought certainly to 
make its own cloth. Hemp has been successfully raised in many parts of 
the Province ; and no one can call in question the capabilities of our soil 
for the production of flax. Notwithstanding these advantages, and the 
abundance of water power and of coal, the manufacture of these raw ma- 
terials is principally confined to the females of our country, who make what 
is here called "homespun cloth," prepared in a variety of ways, according 
to the purpose for which it is intended ; and it is only due to them to say 
that for uniting the qualities of durability, appearance, warmth, and real 
utility, it is hardly exceeded by the manufacture of any country. Still, it 
appears that we have such a predilection for the productions of other coun- 
tries, however go^d our own may he, however capable our artisans may be 
of wofki»| up our raw material^ (and &IJ are hardly inferior to «ny in 



119 

quickness of apprehension and ingenuity) as to prefer exporting our own 
produce, and often re-importing it. manufactured into articles for our own 
domestic consumption. 

The following may be taken as a brief outline of the duties devolving 
upon the natives of New Brunswick, individually, as well as collectively, 
in order to induce a better attention to manufacturing operations : 

1st. We should extend the hand of encouragement to the manufactures 
of our own Province, by buying and using them in preference to others. 

2nd. The Legislature should aid in the erection and maintenance of in- 
fant manufactories. 

3rd. It is necessary that we should effect a more general diffusion of 
that " go a-head " principle of enterprise as yet peculiar to Canada and 
the United States. 

4th. If we are desirous that our country should be better known and 
appreciated abroad, we must learn to appreciate it at home : we must learn 
not to draw unfair comparisons between a Province which is only beginning 
to be known, and the American Union, to which the tide of emigration, the 
wealth of Europe, and the gold of California have been flowing for years. 

5th. We must endeavor to instruct the youth of the Province in its re- 
sources, to teach them its worth, where its valuable deposits may be found, 
and how they may be rendered accessible and profitable. 

There can be little doubt that few countries present better opportunities 
for advantageously employing the surplus capital, as well as the surplus and 
frequently half-paid manufacturing population of the mother country. Here 
skill and industry could not fail to reap their reward, and judicious expen- 
diture would be amply remunerative. Until recently, the manufacturing 
industry and capital of the Colony were principally, if not wholly, applied 
to the preparation of lumber. Deals, boards, laths and shingles were the 
great staples, and were exported either to Great Britain or the West Indies. 
Of late, however, other establishments, sufficient to prove the propositions 
we have laid down, have sprung up. though as yet in an infant state. Iron 
is manufactured in the county of Carleton, and founderies have also been 
established there. a3 well as in Northumberland, Charlotte, St. John and 
York, at which good castings of various descriptions have been made. Coals 
in small quantities have been raised in many of the counties already refer- 
red to. Lime is burnt in every county except Restigouche, Sunbury and 
Victoria. Gypsum is found in, and exported from Albert, Victoria and 
Westmoreland ; and we may enumerate the following as some of the articles 
already beginning to be manufactured for home consumption, in almost 
every county, viz : leather, boots, shoes, candles, wooden ware : and cabinet 
work, chairs, soap, hats, bonnets, waggons, coaches, sleighs, pungs, house- 
hold furniture, farming utensils, and maple sugar. A manufactory has re- 
cently been established in Saint John for making agricultural implements 
and pails. Flour mills, saw mills, carding machines, and fulling mills are 
abundant in every direction. In Geary, in the county of Sunbury, an es- 
tablishment has been erected for the manufacture of cotton twills, &c. ; and 
in Hampton, in King's county, there is a manufactory for making woollen 
cloths. 

Another infant manufacture essential to the Province is that of salt. The 
brine springs in Sussex Vale contain a high per centage of the saline pro- 
perty. Preparations have been made for manufacturing salt at these springs, 
and it has been produced of an excellent quality — far superior to that usual- 



120 

ly imported, especially for dairy purposes ; and the farmers in the vicinity 
gave it a decided preference, even at double the price of foreign salt, for use 
in making their butter. From some unexplained cause, however, this es- 
tablishment has been allowed to decay, although, at one time, large quanti- 
ties of salt were made at it. It may be hoped that the railway from She- 
diac to St. John, passing within a quarter of a mile of the springs, will re- 
store its vitality. No proper attempt has yet been made to ascertain the 
situation of the salt deposit through which these springs pass. 

Thus, some attempts have been made to open up the manufactnriug re- 
sources of the Province, and there can be no doubt that these attempts, small 
as they are, will increase its general wealth and prosperity. It is true, in- 
deed, that ' ' agriculture feeds us, to a great extent clothes us, and without 
it we could not have manufactures ;" yet it is equally apparent that, as a 
country advances in population and agricultural wealth, and thereby increases 
its demand for commercial products, it must augment its facilities for com- 
mercial operations, and its intercourse with other countries. 

The cost of erecting manufacturing establishments in New Brunswick is 
not so great as in the State of Maine, where almost all the raw material is 
imported. The following is a calculation as regards a clothing manufactory 
for the first year : 
Expense of erecting buildings and procuring machinery calculated 

to make in the State of Maine, XI, 500 

Cost of material and labour, including floating Capital, for one year, 2,400 
Value of the manufactured article, 3,200 

Profit and interest on fixed capital, 800 

The following figures, taken from the census in 1851, shew the number 
of manufactories of every description existing in the Province in that year : 



Grist mills 


261 


Hand Looms 




5,475 


Saw mills 


584 


Breweries 




8 


Tanneries 


125 


Various other factories 


94 


Founderies 


11 


Hands employed 




6,214 


Weaving establishments 


52 












1839. 1845. 


1851. 


years. 


Grindstones, number made 




1,182 657 


58,849 




Lime burnt casks 




858 1,369 


35,599 




Gypsum, tons 




7,991 2,034 


5,465 




Iron smelted, tons 






810 




Value of articles ma 


mtfactured in 1851. 




Boots and Shoes 






£89,367 




Leather 






45,165 




Candles 






19,860 




Cabinet work, &c. 






20,505 




Chairs, &c. 






13,472 




, Soap 






18,562 




Fish 






82,882 




Hats 






0,360 




Iron Castings 






20,025 




Total value 




; 


£316,148 





121 

Minerals affording facilities for manufacturing operations. 

Black Lead is found near Indian Town in St. John's County, 

Asphalte Coal " " Hillsborough. Albert, 

Naptha " " Peticoud ; ac, Westmoreland, 

AspHALTrc Shale " " in Albert and Westmoreland, 

Mineral Paint, oxide of iron, and oxide of manganese is found in West- 
moreland, Albert, and many other Counties, 

Alabaster, or translucent gypsum, in Albert and Kings, 

Salt in Sussex Vale, in Kings' County, 

Honestonbs, in Kings, Westmoreland and Carleton, 

Lead Ore, in Kings' and Charlotte, 

Pipe Cl\y has been discovered in Albert, and is considered well adapted 
for the manufacture of stone ware. 

Iron Orb in various parts of the Province, especially in Sunbury and 
at Woodstock, in Carleton- the ore at the last named place producing iron 
and steel of the best quality. 

New Brunswick Society for the encouragement of Agriculture, Home 
Manufactures, and Commerce. 

This Society has been productive of much good ; it has laid bare the 
great leading wants of the people ; it has made a strong effort in the right 
direction ; but we are sorry to say, it has not received the support, atten- 
tion and praise due to its gigantic exertions. Two exhibitions of provincial 
produce have been held under its auspices ; the first in 1851, in the City 
of Saint John ; the other on a more grand extended scale, in the City of 
Fredericton, in 1852 

The building erected (which was highly creditable to Mr. Stead, the ar- 
chitect,) was in front of the Province Hall, which, together with the Su- 
preme Court room, LaAV Library, Judges room, House of Assembly, Speak- 
ers room, and Legislative Council Chamber was placed at the disposal of 
the Committee. In front of the House of Assembly was a paviilion or 
marque, consisting of a lofty nave, and two lower side aisles ; the sides 
were of boards, the clerestory of glass, and the roof of canvas The f ont 
was ornamented with a pedestal, on which stood a statue of Britannia, twelve 
feet in height, supported by the lion and unicorn, and bearing a spear and 
shield standard ; the height of the spear-point was about sixty-five feet from 
the ground. The words '• Architecture" " Arts" ' Science," and 
" Commerce" were emblazoned in large letters, two on each side of the 
principal entrance. The whole was suitably ornamented with arches, paint- 
ings, colossal figures, sheaves of grain, agricultural implements, flowers, 
trees, and huge chandeliers, cardinally arranged, so as to indicate the points 
of the compass, the whole surmounted by upwards of fifty flags, Abating in 
the breeze. 

At the opening of the exhibition, His Honor the President of the Society, 
Jpdgb SiKBhT, presented an appropriate address to His Excellency Sttt 
Edmond Walked IIsad. Baronet, then Lieutenant Governor and Com- 
mander-in chief of the Province of New Brunswick, &c, &c. The fol- 
lowing is an extract from His Excellency's reply : — 

" Gentlemen of the Executive Committee -I thank you for your Ad- 
dress and for the reception you have given me. You have exaggerated the 
assistance which I have been able to affoid you My absence in England 
during a portion of this year necessaiily made me ignorant of much that 
18 



122 

was done ; I have great pleasure in attending here on the present occasion, 
and rejoice at your success. The building in which we stand is alike cre- 
ditable to your taste, and the ability of your architect, Mr. Stead. 

' : When I arrived in this Province a little more than four years ago, I 
found all interests depressed, but there are two sorts of depression — that 
which makes a man despair, and that which stimulates him to fresh exertion. 

"If we look to the past, we have no reason to be discouraged; the time 
is not far removed when the greater part of the river St. John was traversed 
only by the Indian and the Beaver. The site of the City of Saint John 
itself was a wilderness within the memory of one or two persons now in this 
room ; now, happy homes and cultivated fields are seen on each side, from 
Saint John to the Grand Falls. 

"If we look to the future, we may hope that the vast sea of forest which 
divides the Province into two parts, will be traversed by half a dozen roads, 
each bordered by thriving settlements ; the progress of Upper Canada shews 
what can be done : but all this must depend on your own exertions. 

" These exertions will be materially aided by such exhibitions as the pre- 
sent, which will be useful in three ways : 

; '' 1st, By what they do shew ; 

" 2nd, By what they do not shew : 

" 3nd, By the contact and intercourse which they produce. 

" With regard to what they do shew, we must not be disappointed at the 
small number of productions of the fine arts, or of ornamental manufac- 
ture ; such things cannot be expected in abundance in a new country like 
this. 

"There is no department of the Exhibition more important than that 
which relates to agriculture : I am glad to see those agricultural implements ; 
such a manufacture is important in all countries, but more especilaly in one 
where labour is scarce. Your first business in New Brunswick is. to grow 
your own food. 

" There is much to be learnt from what is not shewn, because it is every 
man's business to consider how far it is advantageous, or possible, for him to 
supply some of those deficiencies. 

•' But nothing in such gatherings as the present is more important than 
the fact that men from all parts of the country are brought together. One 
of the faults of New Brunswick is, the division which sometimes exists 
among you. I wish to see the day when the cornish motto, one and oil, 
could be applied to you : and when every man shall lend his hand to that 
which benefits the whole Province, and not his own neighborhood alone ,? 

While the outside of the building fascinated the eye. the inside presented 
such a panorama of New Brunswick industry and skill as had never before 
been seen in the Lower Provinces. Such a display of cabinet work, clocks, 
musical ins'ruments, minerals, models, philosophical instruments, carved 
work, embroidery, and gilt and fancy work, could scarcely be imagined pos- 
sible. "The outer or main building," says the report, "was crowded 
to overflow with agricultural and horticultural produce, of every variety 
possible in this clime; and in all their manufactured forms, agricultural 
implements, tools, carriages, domestic manufactures, fish, cheese, butter, 
honey, leather, ropes, ships 7 furniture, paper: in short it was such a display 
of substantial wealth as at once gratified the eye. and satisfied the judg- 
ment of many thousands, who, in the course of the week, came to see, 
wonder and believe." 



123 

The association awarded premiums to five of the best essays on farm 
management, orchards, turnip culture, and on agriculture and horticulture, 
It gave forty-five honorary diplomas for superior manufactures of cabinet 
work, pianoes, iron, wood, edge-tools, brass castings, cordage, saws, paper, 
stoves, carriage building, gildings, soap, candles, wood engraving, carving 
in stone, architecture, typography, boots and shoes, trunks, bricks, blocks, 
wheels, and capstans, -planes, electric clocks, astronomical clocks, organs, 
wool work, tobacco, lime, agricultural implements, &c , &c. Also premi- 
ums to eighteen persons, and made honorable mention of fourteen more for 
the best production of raw materials belonging to the mineral kingdom. 
Thirty one persons received premiums, and honorable mention was made of 
eleven more, for " manufactures chiefly in metal " For the production of 
"raw materials," belonging to "the vegetable kingdom," there were forty 
nine premiums awarded, and honorable mention made of twenty other ex- 
hibitors. For the " manufactures chiefly in wool," there were thirty seven 
premiums given, and honorable mention made of nineteen other competitors. 
There were 118 premiums awarded, and honorable mention made of 54 per- 
sons for skill in " the manufactures from grain," the best "live st ck," 
and "manufactures from parts of animals " On the fine arts, there were 
twenty one premiums awarded, and honorable mention made of fffty other 
competitors. Premiums were also given for ploughing with horses and 
oxen. 

The amount thus distributed in premiums was upwards of £1500, and 
nearly 500 competitors are named in the Report either as having premiums, 
diplomas, or being woithy of honorable mention. 

In concluding this section of our work, we cannot refrain from summa- 
rily re-iterating some of those advantages presented to the inhabitants of 
this Colony, but ,of which they neglect to avail themselves. 

It is scarcely necessary again to refer to our timber and ornamental 
woods. Of the first a large portion is shipped to the United States and other 
foreign markets, instead of being manufactured into ships at home, thereby 
.depriving our young men of useful employment, and lowering the character 
of the Province abroad. We import hundreds, almost, of various descrip- 
tions of wooden manufactures, for which we possess ample material of our 
own growth. 

Again our fisheries are neglected, though unsurpassed by any in America, 
and our republican neighbors, with from eight hundred to a thousand fish- 
ing vessels, surround our coasts, even entering our harbours, and taking 
our fish to their own country, while we good naturedly look on, and com- 
plain of the want of advantages. 

The very bowels of this, and the adjacent sister colony, may be called al- 
most one mineral field of coal, whose properties for gas making are with- 
out parallel. Iron has been, and can be made, second only to Swedish. 
Other minerals, extensively employed in other countries, abound. AVater 
power may be found on every square mile, and yet we import all the iron, 
and nearly all the coal we use. 

We have a soil capable of producing every kind of food required for the 
support both of man and beast. Well directed labor only will enable us to 
obtain abundance, and above all we have as healthy a climate as can be de- 
sired; and yet we do not raise provisions sufficient for 100,000 people. Is 
not this disgraceful to our industry ? 

In the midst and in spite of this array of facts shewing incontestably the 



124 

advantages we possess, but do not use, how many do we find inclined to 
disparage and undervalue the'r own country. Really we give credit to some 
persons, and were it not for a few strong facts— were it not thu the time 
is not very remote when we had no roads, no schools, no villages, no church- 
es, an! no manufactories —were it not that there is yet remaining, one per- 
son at least, in almost every settlement who looks back w th vivid recollec- 
tion to the period when the mails between St John and Halifax, no other 
b3ing thjn require!, Wire carried on man's shoulders, on sleds, drawn by 
hand, and when the members of our Legislature travelled to the Provincial 
Head Quarters on snow shoes— were it not for the thousand contributions 
that were exhibited at the Provincial Industrial Exhibition in 1852 fully 
verifying the old adage that "seeing is believing," and were it not that we 
have scircely any paupers, live easy, and do about half work and that we 
are toll by our visitors, both from Europe and the American Union., that 
we have a country well worth owning living in. and governing, we should 
feel almost inclined to up anchor and be off. 



CHAPTER II. 



COUNTY AND CITY OF SAINT JOHN. 

Boundaries. — "The said city and county of Saint John, bounded south 
by the Bay of Fundy ; west by Charlotte ; north, by the line run north, 
eighty three degrees and thirty minutes east from the southernmost point 
ot Kennebecasis island, by Deputies Scully and Palmer, in the years of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, and one thousand 
eight hundred and forty-one ; and the westerly prolongation of said line to 
Charlotte ; east, by the line run north by Deputy Stiles, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, fiom a biich tree on the 
shore of the Bay of Fundy thirty chains, east from the mouth of Goose river, 
including all the islands in the Bay of Fundy adjacent thereto." 

This county is divided into four parishes, resides the city of Faint John, 
viz : Portland, Lancaster, Simond's, and St. Martin's. The county 
has a front line of nearly eighty miles on the Bay of Fundy from a little 
to the east of Goose river, at the south angle of Albert to Point Lepreau, 
at the easterly angle of Charlotte ; this coast is but thinly settled. The 
breadth of the county varies, with the indentation* of the coast, from five 
to thirteen miles ; it contains, exclusive of water, 414. 720 acres, of which, 
in 1851, there were only 21,725 acres cleared. In 1852, 309,147 acres 
had been granted and located, and there were 105,573 acres still vacant. 
The population exceeds 40,000. 

In an agricultural point of view, the soil of this county could not, with- 
out an unwarrantable outlay of capital, be made to sustain even one moiety 
of its inhabitants. Yet, notwithstanding that the surface is general'y rocky 
and sterile in its nature, and therefore not adapted for a systematic mode 
of farming, there are numerous small tracts well worthy of the farmer's 
attention These spots are now being made available, and great facilities 
are afforded for this purpose by the large quantities of alluvial deposits 
found along the numerous streams flowing through the vallies with which 
the county is everywhere intersected ; the vast quantities of limestone, of 
which the hills are principally composed ; and the abundance of manure, 
supplied by the neighborhood of a large city. By these appliances, not 
only mny the already tillageable soils be rendered more productive, but 
the semi-bam n lands may be made to yield a return ; while the best mar- 
ket for agricultural produce in the Lower Provinces— the city of Saint 
John— holds out a strong inducement for the extension of the agricultural 
operations of the county. 

The city of Saint John, which was established by Eoyal Charter in 1785, 
is situate near the mouth and on the eastern side of the river of the same 
name ; the town of Carleton, which forms a part of the city, as incorpor- 
ated, lying on the western bank. The extensive suburbs of Portland and 
Indian Town, on the north, may be almost said to be parts of the city, 
though nofc subject to its magistrates, or included within its boundaries. 



126 

Under its charter, it has a Mayor and Recorder, and is divided into seven 
wards, viz : King's, Queen's, Duke's, Sidney, and Wellington, on the east, 
and Guy's and Brooks on the west or Carleton side of the river ; each ward 
has an Alderman, who is also a magistrate for the city, and a Councillor. 
All these officials are annually elected by the inhabitants of the respective 
wards, and constitute a City Council. All the sons of citizens who have 
been born within the city, and strangers who have served as apprentices 
herein, are entitled of right to its privileges, on payment of about twenty- 
five shillings currency. - All other British subjects are admitted to the same 
privileges, on payment of certain fees, amounting to about «£6 5s. This 
is a relic of ancient usages which has been clone away with in most modern 
cities, and would be more honored in the breach than in the observance. 

The municipal officers for the city are as follows : 

The Mayor, Recorder and seven Aldermen, with a like number of Coun- 
cillors. 

Treasurer or Chamberlain ; Common Clerk and Deputy. 

A Police Magistrate, with two sitting magistrates in his absence. 

Police Clerk, and a Captain of Police. 

Portland has also a Police Magistrate, with two sitting magistrates in 
his absence, and three Commissioners of Police. 

The names of the officers are not given, as they are subject to yearly 
change. 

In the county, there are the High Sheriff and his Deputy, the Coroner, 
Clerk of the Peace, and County Treasurer, with a bench of about fifty 
magistrates. 

Besides these, there are the Auditor of County Accounts, 

Registrar of Deeds and Wills, 

Commissioners for taking bail in the Courts, 
" for taking affidavits in do., 

" for solemnizing marriages, 

" of Almhouse, Workhouse and Infirmary. 

Public Notaries, 

City Surveyor, 

Commissioners of Wharfage, 
" of Wrecks, 

'' of Lighthouses, 

Visiting Physicians, 

Superintendent of Quarantine Station, 

Licensed Auctioneers, 

Port Wardens, 

Harbor Master, and Branch Pilots, 

Harbor Inspectors, 

Lighthouse Keepers, 

Assessors and Collectors of Taxes, 

Weighers of Coals and Measurers of Salt, 

Surveyors of Lumber; Constables, &c. 

And in the fire department, there are fire wards, a fire police, three en- 
gine companies, and one hook and ladder company. 



127 

CITY OF SAINT JOHN. 

General Description — Commercial and other Advantages. — The city 
of Saint John, the capital of the county, stands on a rocky eminence, of a 
peninsular form, within the harbor, and has a commanding aspect. The 
country, for many miles round, is beautifully variegated by lofty hills, al- 
luvial vallies, and numerous sheets of water, formed by lakes, and the 
meanderings of the river St. John. The harbor is situated in latitude 45 ° , 
15" north, longitude 66 ° , 4" west ; it is noble, safe and spacious, and has 
sufficient depth for the admission and safe anchorage of ships of the largest 
class ; the tide rises and falls from twenty to twenty-six feet, and the water 
in the harbor varies in depth from ten to sixty fathom ; thus affording great 
facilities for repairing and launching vessels. Partridge Island, at the en- 
trance of the harbor, is beautifully situate ; on it stands a battery, light- 
house, signal station, and hospital, for the reception of sick emigrants and 
sailors. 

That part of the harbor to the westward of the island is only navigable 
for small vessels, even at full tide. Mariners are directed in their approach 
to avoid danger by the light house on the island, visible at a great distance, 
and another on a spit within the harbor, which have been already described. 
There is also a floating fog bell moored at some distance off the entrance. 
By these aids, vessels may be piloted in at any hour of the night, and in 
case of any accident occurring, life-boats, manned with able and efficient 
crews, are at command. 

At the extreme outward point of the peninsula on which the city stands, 
are the parade ground, two batteries, military station and barracks, capable 
of containing two thousand men ; this position commands the whole harbor 
and its entrance. In the rear of the city, and a little to the northward of 
Portland, stands Fort Howe, on a high hill, at the foot of which is a mili- 
tary post and magazine. This Fort commands the whole upper part of the 
harbor. 

The surface of the city is very uneven ; it lies in the form of a ridge, 
sloping in every direction ; the streets are numerous, and generally laid out 
in a systematic and regular manner, with the exception of some of them 
being too narrow. It has suffered much at different times from the effects 
of fire ; however, it is well filled up, and the older wooden buildings are 
being replaced by others of more durable quality, being built of brick or 
stone, evincing considerable taste and very commodious. There are two 
squares within the city, with considerable areas, reserved for the accommo- 
dation of the public, the one called King's, and the other Queen's Square. 

In taking a circuit from the military post on the south-east point of the 
peninsula, thence along the margin of the spacious basin, forming the har- 
bor for a distance of about a mile and one fourth, through Portland to Indian 
Town, and from thence across the Suspension Bridge to Carleton, the eye 
will behold, within an extent of about three miles, the nucleus of a city, 
with its numerous streets ascending the acclevities which surround the har- 
bor, destined hereafter, to become a place of no small commercial impor- 
tance. Included within this circle, are not less than five thousand edifices 
of various kinds, private houses and stores, churches and places of worship 
belonging to Episcopalians. Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Baptists, Me- 
thodists, Independents and others ; Academies, School Houses, Warehouses 
and Founderies, as well as Manufactories for lumber and other purposes. 



128 

There will be found also a Grammar School, Mechanics Institute, Sabbath 
Schools, printing and books Stores, together with a Court House, Gaol, 
Poor House, Hospital and all the other incidents to a large commercial 
sea port ; among which the Sailors Home and the Penitentiary deserve par- 
ticular notice. The Banks have been already enumerated ; there is a hand- 
some Custom House and two convenient Markets ; besides many other pub- 
lic buildings and philanthropic institutions. The numerous wharves and 
slips fronting on the harbor, throughout the city, as well as Portland, Car- 
leton embrace an extent of nearly two miles ; the whole distance presenting 
one continued thoroughfare of business. Few places indeed of the same 
size and population, evince better indications of prosperity than are shewn 
by this thriving sea-port. And yet but seventy years ago this crowded city 
was a mere peninsula of rock covered with a dense mass of shrubbery com- 
posed of cedars, spruce, birch and underwood. 

The city of Saint John, including, of course, Portland and Carleton, 
is even at present the commercial emporium, not only of the Province of 
New Brunswick, but of that extensive western portion of Nora Scotia, from 
the head of the Bay of Fundy to Yarmouth harbor, including the numer- 
ous and flourishing settlements which have sprung up on the many bays 
and rivers along this range of country. In this point of view, and looking 
at the advantages it possesses from its position at the entrance of a noble 
river, second to none in British North America except the St. Law- 
rence, and possessing the great advantage over that river of being free from 
ice during the whole year, the conclusion forces itself on our minds., that, 
before many years roll around its c >mmerce will be inferior to that of few 
places on the North American Continent. 

With the exception of a circuit of a few miles in the immediate neigh- 
borhood of the city, which is not adapted for farming, although highly fa- 
vorable for ship building, manufactories and other branches of industry, 
the whole country for more than one hundred miles east and west, and 
above two hundred miles in a northerly direction, is capable of affording 
vast quantities of agricultural produce, and of undergoing many other im- 
provements, all of which would contribute to the extension and commercial 
prosperity of this city. The river Saint John and its branches may be con- 
sidered navigable for steam boats for over two hundred miles, and for other 
small craft for not less than two hundred more ; and this mode of convey- 
ance, yearly increasing, cannot fail to render it the depot of an enormous 
extent of country, i 'uring the last year there were no less than ten steam- 
ers between Indian Town, near the Suspension Bridge and Fiedericton, 
leaving each place, by special arrangement, every morning and evening, 
thus affording a daily and nightly communication between the two cities, 
one the commercial emporium, and the other the Head Quarters of the 
Province. Two steamers are employed twice a week, with the exception of 
about two months, during the middle of winter, between the City and Sack- 
ville, Dorchester, and the Bend in New Brunswick, and Annapolis, "Wind- 
sor, and other ports on the west coast of Nova Scotia ; bringing the pro- 
duce of these fertile and extensive districts, and especially the fat cattle 
and bitter of the counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland, proverbial 
for producing the best of both these articles that can be found in the Lower 
Provinces, to the market of Saint John In return, these steamers arc the 
means of supplying all these populous districts with merchandize and West 
India produce to a considerable amount, To show the great quantity of 



129 

agricultural produce that comes from the western counties oi Nova Scotia, 
we extract the following from the ' Courier' newspaper : 

" Statement of some articles of produce from Nova Scotia imported into 
Saint John in the quarter eliding 5th July, 1854 : — 

424 cattle, 83 sheep, 217 calves, 64 horses, 459 tons hay, 72,506 bush- 
els barley and m.u. 21,657 bushels of potatoes, 459 barrels a-..d 409 bags 
of oatmeal, 2410 cwt. salt and smoked meat, 47 cwt. fresh meat, 814 cwt. 
buttjr, cheese and lard, 37,432 dozen eggs. Even on such a tiding arti- 
cle as eggs the value at lOd. ner dozen would amount to £lo~:9 l'Sb. 4d. 
for three months. Peals 2,368,000 feet, Firewood 527 cord, coala 1355 
chaldrons, Lricks 183,000." 

Steamers loave Saint John for Boston every week, torching at Portland 
and other sea pores on their way. Railways are completed from Portland 
to Boston, New York, and also to Montreal and Quebec ; the time occupied 
in travelling from Saint John to either of those places, would not exceed 
thirty hours. By these means a ready communication is opened with the 
whole of the United States and Canada. 

A harbor steamer is continually plying during the day between the City 
and Carleton, thus affording to men of business a more speedy means of 
communicating with each other than by taking the circuitous route over the 
Suspension Bridge. 

There is a communication established by electric Telegraph, with Halifax, 
Pictou, Windsor, Truro, Amherst, and other places in Nova Scotia; with 
Charlotte Town and Cape Traverse in Prince Edward Island ; with Mira- 
michL Richibucto. Shediac, Sackville, Dorchester, the Bend, Sussex Vale, 
the city of Fredericton. Woodstock, St. Andrews, and other p ace3 in New 
Brunswick; and with all the principal sea por:s and cities in Canada and 
the United States. 

The .European and North American Railway, will, however, when com- 
pleted, place Saint John in direct and rapid communication easterly with 
Halifax, Shediac, and the Nourishing settlements along these lines, res- 
pectively, westerly and northerly, with St. Andrews, Woodstock, and 
the great network of railways, either already constructed, or in pro- 
gress, in Canada and the American Union. And to crown the whole, 
we may indulge reasonable hopes that the time is at hand, and the increas- 
ing trade of this portion of the Province is forcing it on, when a direct line 
of steam communication will be established between thi3 port and the Moth- 
er Country. 

The City contains the following public Companies and Societies : 
A Water Company, 
Gas Light Company, 
Rural Cemetery Company, 
Hotel Company, 
Also a Chamber of Commerce, 
Mechanic's Institute, 
Lunatic Aylum, 
Public Grammar School, 
Society, Library, 
St. George's Society, 
St. Patrick's Society, 
19 



X30 

Si Andrew's Soaiit* » 

i&g Mou*a Christian Aaiodattaa, 
Oi'pbaa Benevolent Sooiety, 

.Friend Society, 

Agricultural Society, 

Horticultural Society, 

Temperance Societies. 

The Lunatic Asylum is a neat and commodious edifice, pleasantly situat- 
ed near the west end of the Bridge. It is conducted in the best possible 
manner, and every way in accordance with the modern mode of treatment 
adopted in Great Britain and the United States, and is a standing monument 
of the philanthropy of the Province. 

The streets are well lighted with gas, and the water company derive a 
supply of excellent water from a lake at a distance of about four miles, 
from which iron pipes are laid. 

The Suspension Bridge. — This bridge over the river Saint John, is 
about a mile and a quarter from the city, and is an excellent specimen of 
modern bridge building ; it reflects great credit on Mr. Reynold's, the ar- 
chitect, more especially as there had been so many fruitless attempts made 
to span the vortex over which it is thrown. 

The following brief description, condensed from the detailed report of A. 
L. Light, Esq., Civil Engineer to the Lieutenant Governor, will be found 
to convey an accurate idea of its structure. :— " The Bridge is of the des- 
cription generally called 'Wire Suspension Bridge,' being composed of ten 
cables, five on each side ; each cable containing three hundred strands of 
W. 10 wire, or three thousand in all. These cables pass over massive tow- 
ers of masonry, and are made fast to the solid rock behind, by heavy an- 
chors, a3 will be hereafter described. The span of bridge from centre 
to centre, of points of suspension is 680 feet ; width of roadway between 
parapet, 28 feet, with a fifteen feet carriage way in the centre, and four 
feet each side for foot paths, the whole being suspended seventy feet above 
the extreme high water mark. 

#■'"'* *■$,•.# 

" The towers themselves, are built of first class masonry, they are fifteen 
feet nine inches high abo?e the base, fifteen feet square at the bottom, and 
six feet square at the top of the tower, below the coping." 

Each of the three hundred strands of No. 10 wire, which forms each 
table, is about one eighth of an inch thick, and they " are hung over the 
tops of the towers on each side, in catenarian curves, the droop from the 
tops of the towers to the apex of the curve being about forty- five feet." 
The cables are carried back to some distance from the towers, and fastened 
to anchors of wrought iron. 

These anchors are straight bars of best refined round iron, four and a 
quarter inches in diameter ; there are two of them to each cable, the one 
set six feet behind the other, in holes drilled by machinery eight feet into 
the solid rock, at right angles to the tangent of the curve of the backstays, 
and these secured by filling round ihem with iron wedges and lead." 

" The bridj3 is supported by two hundred and ninety four iron rods, 147 
on each side, these "rods are three eighths of an inch by six eighths, and 
are in different lengths to suit the curve of the cables. ' ; The rods are four 
feet apart on each cable, and " have a stirrup at their lower extremities, into 
which the traverse beams of the roadway are fitted. " • * • 



131 

" The roadway is composed entirely of wood." * # * " The plat- 
form of the bridge has a slight curvature across the river of nire inches, 
the same being inverted to the curve of the chains, this curvature varies, of 
course, with the degree of temperature, in the extreme heat of summer the 
bridge will be nearly a level plane." 

The bridge is allowed to weigh, including cables, one hundred and fifty 
tons ; and will sustain, in addition to its own weight, a load of one hundred 
and thirty-one tons, if equally distributed all over the platform, as the ' safe' 
load it can carry ''without (Mr. Light says) a shadow of doubt" 

The following is a brief summary from the Report referred to : — 
c< 1. Absolute tensile strength of cables 1,125 tons 

2. Suspended weight of bridge, including cables 150 " 

3. Extraneous load, theoretically, that would cause fracture 975 " 

4. Greatest extraneous load that bridge can ever be subjected to 714 " 

5. Safe strength of cables 281 " 

6. Load that bridge will bear with perfect safety, 131 " 

7. Greatest load that anchors will bear, collectively, with ) rrr> u 

perfect safety, { 

8. Load that suspending rods can bear, collectively, with ) j™ « 

perfect safety, { 

9. Load that beams will bear, collectively, 294 " 

10. Greatest load, in tons, that can pass one another in ^ q « 

safety, ) 

11. Greatest load upon a wheel, 1 " 
It is a toll bridge, and rents at present for £1660 per annum, being 

nearly the yearly interest, at 6 per cent., on a capital of £27,600. 

Falls of St. John. — There are few rivers in America of so great an extent 
(no less than 450 miles) whose tributory lakes, rivers, and minor streams, when 
accumulated, make their exit into the sea through such a narrow, tortuous 
passage, as the river St. John. The cliffs on each side of this narrow gorge, 
or fissure, at the head of the harbor of St. John, are about one hundred 
feet in height, and are composed, principally, of variegated limestone ; the 
chasm is from 450 to 650 feet in width. Owing to the small rocky islands 
in the stream, which are being worn away by the dashing cataract, and to 
the rocky protuberances which project from the sides, the water rushes 
through this narrow passage, which is little more than half a mile in length, 
with great force. The rise of tide in the harbor ranges from 22 to 26 feet, 
and the water, above the falls, rises at flood, from one toot and a half to three 
feet ; the height of the fall may therefore be estimated at from 20 to 23 
feet. But for about three quarters of an hour during each flood tide, the 
whole surface of these periodically troubled waters becomes calm and pla- 
cid, as if to accommodate itself to man's requirements, and is rendered, by 
this law of nature, navigable for ship3, steamers, &c. A visit to this spot 
well repays the admirer of nature's anomalies. 

Portland. — The southern portion of this parish forms a part of the city 
,of St. John. 

Lancaster comprehends the western part of the county, from the river 
Saint John to the county of Charlotte. 

Until recently, the subject of agriculture has not engaged much of the 
attention of the inhabitants of this parish ; fishing, lumbering, and other 
mercantile pursuits, having been their chief occupations, It contains Beve- 



132 

ral flmvin^ settlements and villages, among which, Carleton, before men- 
tioned, as forming a part of the City of Saint John, is honorably contend- 
ing in the race of improvement with its neighbours on the other bank of 
the river. The Census of 1851, presents no adequate idea of its present 
state, as the march of improvement has gone on rapidly since that period. 
The nature of the country, immediately round the town, presents excellent 
facilities for its extension; roads and streets are being opened in every di- 
rection, and other symptoms of a progress, commensurate with its growing 
importance arc every where manifest. On Musquash river there are nu- 
merous saw and other mill establishments ; and along the margin of this 
river and its haven, there are large tracts of marsh ; the whole presenting 
the appearance of industry and perseverance. 

Sitnonds. — This parish being adjacent to the City, the principal 
part of the land fit for agricultural operations, is rapidly being 
made available. It possesses several small lakes, among which Loch 
Lomond is the chief. A mail road leads through this parish to Quaco, 
but the land along it is generally poor. Still the parish in consequence of 
its proximity to the city, and possessing other tracts of good land, together 
with great facilities for commerce, has proportionally exceeded in population 
any of the other civil divisions of the county, except Portland ; it is deci- 
dedly the best farming parish in the county of Saint John. 

Saint Martins' — Lying to the eastward of Simonds and extending to 
the county of Albert. 

There are several tracts of land fit for settlement in this parish still 
ungranted ; but in consequence of its remoteness from the city, and the 
want of additional roads these lands have not yet been taken up. In com- 
paring the census of 1851 with that of 1840, this section of the county ap- 
pears to have remained almost stationary, shewing an increase of only seven 
in population, and of .157 acres of cleared land. Quaco is a flourishing 
village on the Bay of Fundy, where ship building is carried on to a consi- 
derable extent ; other improvements are also being mode, and the village 
presents evident marks of progress. The registry list of the county of St. 
John was last year increased by the addition of ten vessels, measuring not 
less, in the gross, than 10,000 tons from this little port. 

Races- --The principal races composing the population of the city and 
county of Saint John, are English, Scotch, and Irish, and their descendants, 
with a few frt m other countries. They are generally courteous to stran- 
gers, free and intelligent in their manners, and industrious, assiduous, en- 
terprising in business ; and it may be said, without fear of contradiction, 
that there is no city on the American continent where the wants of the poor 
are better or more readily supplied, or where the stranger who may be de- 
sirous of adopting any part of Naw Brunswick as his home, will be better 
and more honestly directed, and that without having his pockets picked by 
the way, than in the city of Saint John. 

Fisheries. —From Point Lepreau to Saint John harbor there are no re- 
gular fishing establishment; " the principal fisheries are those for cod and 
herring ; small haddock are also taken in the summer, but hake and pollock 
are comparatively rare." 

Lobsters are taken in abundance at Dipper Harbor, from whence the 
city of Saint John is principally supplied. 

" The fisheries of the harbor are those for gaspereaux, shrd, and salmon, 



133 

which enter it for the purpose of ascending the river to their usual spawn- 
ing grounds." The fishing grounds on both sides are under the control of 
the City Corporation, subject of course to any general legislative enactment, 
regulating the fisheries of the Province, and are laid off in small lots, and 
disposed of to persons having the freedom of the city at various prices ac- 
cording to situation. The salmon, gaspereaux, and shad fisheries within 
the harbor, in 1850, are said by Mr. Perley to have been worth ,£20,000 ; 
their annual value has since been much increased. 

From the harbor eastward to the county limits, salmon, shad, alewives, cod, 
herrings, pollock, haddock, hallibut, lobsters and various other kinds of fish 
are taken in great abundance, although no establishments have been formed 
for the purpose The fisheries here, as in most other parts of the Province, 
are being fast destroyed by catching the fish at improper times, and in a 
wrong manner ; and their passage up the rivers for the purpose of spawn- 
ing, has been in numerous instances entirely prevented by mill dams Besides 
thes % evils the bottoms of the channels, as well as the water itself, are often 
rendered obnoxious, and in fact destructive, to the young fry by the quan- 
tities of saw-dust allowed to float down the streams. It is generally be- 
lieved by those best acquainted with the subject, that if some Legislative 
enactment be not made and strictly enforced, forbidding the longer conti- 
nuance of the injurious practices, which have of late existed with regard to 
our harbours and rivers, that portion of our fisheries which is so easy of ac- 
cess, so varied in its produce, and so profitable to those engaged in it, as well 
as to the Province, will soon be considered among the things that were. 

Railways. — The European and North American Railway, from Halifax 
to Portland, passer through this County, for about eight miles to the east- 
ward of the city, and traverses the parish of Lancaster for nearly two miles 
further. At the city -will be one of the most important depots on the whole 
line. The river will be crossed near the Suspension Bridge. 

Hirers and Creeks. — The County of Saint John is well watered. Be- 
sides the river Saint John, about which so much has already been said, it 
has the Musquash, Little, Black, Tiegnmouth, Quaco, Great Salmon, Lit- 
tle Salmon, Upper Salmon, and Goose Rivers, and Emerson's, Garden, Goose 
and other Creeks, with their branches diverging in every direction, afford- 
ing dverj facility for ship-buiiuing, mills, ami other manufactories requiring 
water power. 

Minerals. — Although the County presents in its general formation, the 
characteristics of a mineral district, especially as regards coal and iron, the 
only deposit that have been yet discovered, no doubt for want of research, 
are those reported by Dr. Gesner, of a vein of anthracite coal at Little river, 
of a fair quality, and another at Quaco, which has been opened, but has not 
proved profitable. Plumbago, of which nearly 90,000 lbs. were exported 
in 1853, is found in great abundance near the City of Saint John. Lime- 
stone is very abundant, and marble of good quality is obtained. 

Ship-baliding. — We take the following list of vessels built in St. John, 
from the returns made to the Legislature in the years 1851, 1852, and 
1853:— 

Registered in Saint John in 1851, 60 vessels, 28,628 tons. 

For owners in the United Kingdom, 14 " 10,332 " 

Making a total of 74 M 



78 vessels, 
9 « 


39,033 
6,090 


37 


<( 




94 


(C 


56,452 



134 

Kegistered in Saint John in 1852, 78 vessels, 39,038 tons. 

For owners in the United Kingdom, 

Making together, 

Registered in Saint John in 1853,* 

*Note. — The vessels built in the Gulf are registered at Miramichi ; and 
those built in the Bay of Fundy at Saint John, except Charlotte, which has 
a registry at St. Andrews. 

The number of registered vessels belonging to the Port of Saint John up 
to the 31st December, 1853, as near as can be ascertained, was 527, mea- 
suring 88,574 tons, new measurement. 

Education. — The population of the city and county of Saint John, by 

the censes of 1851, was 38,475. Out of this number there were attend- 
ing the parish schools— 

In 1851, 1,946 pupils. 

" 1852, 54 schools, 2.402 " 

" 1853, 64 " 2,869 " 

The increase in 1852 456 " 

" in 3 years, 823 " 

The above returns shew the number of pupils for each of the three years, 
while we have no means of knowing the increase of the population, which 
must have been very considerable, since the census was taken. 

The increase in the school attendance in 1852, over that of 1851, was 
probably caused by the agricultural and commercial prosperity which 
dawned upon the Province at that time, and has since continued to enrich it. 

Imports and Exports. — The following abstract, taken from the Journal 
of the House of Assembly, shews the imports and exports for Saint John, 
but including the other counties in the Province, except Charlotte : — 

Sterling. 
Total value of Imports in the year 1853, £1. 657,907 

1852, 1,063,554 

1851, 925,488 

1850, 770,168 

Total value of Exports for the Province, except Charlotte 

County, in 1853, £904.200 

1852, 714,860 

1851, 702.021 

1850, 603,777 

In the return of exports, the new vessels built for, and sold to owners in 

the United Kingdom, are not included, although a large portion of the 

building materials and outfits form considerable items in the imports. 

Vessels entered inwards at Saint John, and its outports. except Char- 
lotte, in 

No. Tons. Men. 

1853, 3,113 527,378 20.380 

1852, 2,571 449,491 17.234 

1851, 2,253 399,533 15,941 

1850, 2,307 363,929 15.495 



135 



Venelfl entered outwards in 
No, 
1853, 8,125 

1852, 2,578 

1851, 2,259 

1850, 2,310 

At the port of Saint John alone : 
No. 
Inwards, 
Outwards, 
Inwards, 
Outwards, 



1851 



1852 



1,528 
1,545 
1,740 
1,746 



Thus, it will be seen that a large portion of the tonnage 
enters, inwards and outwards, at this port. 



Tons, 


Men. 


580,076 


22,126 


490,107 


18.962 


455,211 


17,757 


393,625 


16,557 


Tons. 


Men. 


282,566 


11,008 


324,821 


16.615 


334,267 


12,105 


362,917 


13,670 


i of the tonr 


mge of the Province 



1851. — Population and other Statist 


\cs of St 


. John. 










Parishes. 








City of St 
John. 


Port- 
land. 


Lancas- 
ter. 


Simond's. 


St. Mar- 
tin 's . 


Totals. 


Inhabitants, 


22,745 


8,429 


1,896 


3,425 


1,980 


38,475 


Families, 


4,248 


1,616 


305 


546 


343 


7,058 


Children at school, 


666 


527 


170 


507 


122 


1,992 


School houses, 


59 


18 


7 


17 


7 


108 


Births, 


757 


395 


67 


91 


57 


1,377 


Deaths, 


252 


122 


9 


95 


13 


491 


Sick and infirm, 


31 


16 


118 


260 


5 


430 


Agriculturists, 




40 


105 


402 


217 


767 


Places of worship, 


20 


5 


4 


7 


4 


40 


Saw mills, 


7 


8 


11 


10 


15 


51 


Grist mills, 


11 


2 


1 


5 


2 


14 


Acres of land cleared, 




1,758 


3,575 


11,200 


5,192 


21,725 


Tons of hay, 




758 


1,389 


3,290 


1,420 


6,855 


Wheat, 




7 


78 


114 


50 


249 


Barley, 




18 


41 


354 


97 


510 


Oats, 




1,782 


6,910 


17,047 


5,222 


30,961 


Buckwheat, 




120 


639 


5,115 


3,884 


9,758 


Indian Corn, 






148 


20 




168- 


Potatoes, 




7,526 


16,511 


54,370 


27,279 


105,695 


Value of manufactories, 


£91,577 


£20,916 


£863 


£11,070 


£1,140 


£123,566 


Other factories, 












124 



Population, 
Children at school, 
Families, 
Inhabited houses, 



Comparison. 


1851, 38,475 
1840, 32,957 


\ 


1853, 2,869 
1851, 1,992 


\ 


1851, 7,058 
1840, 5,044 


\ 


1851, 3,885 
1840, 2,896 


\ 



Increase in 11 years, 5,518 

2 years, 877. 

" 11 years, 2,014. 

" " 989. 



136 



Places of worship, < 184 q' 2 g < Increase in 11 yeai-s, 12. 

Grist mills, 



Saw mills, 
Cleared land, 
Horses, 
Neat Cattle, 
Sheep, 
Swine, 



1851, 


14 


1840, 


9 


1851, 


51 


1840, 


49 


1851, 


21,725 


1840, 


19,133 


1851, 


1,219 


1840, 


893 


1851, 


3,738 


1840, 


3,383 


1851, 


3,747 


1840, 


2,907 


1851, 


1.550 


1840, 


3,111 



I 



I 

{ 

S . 

5 1851, 3,738 > 

} 1840, 3,383 \ 

i 

5 1851, 1.550 ) ~ 

\ 1840, 3,111 \ Decrease > 



COUNTY OF CHARLOTTE. 



2,591, 
326. 
355. 
640. 

1,561. 



Boundaries.— -The said County of Charlotte, bounded " south by the 
Bay of Foody, west by the river Saint Croix, and the western shore of the 
Bay of Passamaquoddy, east oy the line running true north thirty miles 
from Point Lepreau, as surveyed by Deputies Wilkinson and Mahoad, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-five ; and north 
by the line running true west from the termination of the last mentioned 
line, as surveyed by Deputy Mahoad in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and forty-five, including all the islands adjacent thereto, and 
the island of Grand Manan, and the islands adjacent to it." 

General Description, — This county possesses a large bay and river na- 
vigation ; it has an extensive frontage on the Bay of Fundy, and the Pas- 
samaquoddy Bay, and the river St. Croix washes its whole western boun- 
dary, dividing it from the State of Maine. There are also the the Digde- 
quash, New, Lepieau and Magaguadavie rivers, with their tributories, toge- 
ther with mauy other minor streams affording water communications through- 
out its interior. It contains 783,360 acres of which 466,000 are still 
ungranted. The land on the shores of the Bays is broken and somewhat 
rocky though the principal settlements are in this district. 3t. Andrews' 
is a flourishing town with upwards of 3000 inhabitants, and is the head 
quarters of the county ; it stands on a peninsular ridge extending into the 
Passamaquaddy Bay, from the extreme point of which the St. Andrews 
and Quebec Railway takes its departure. Here there are a Brewery and a 
Steam Saw Mill, together with an Iron Foundry at which operations are 
carried on to some extent. The next place of importance is St. Stephens, 
a beautiful village about twenty miles above St. Andrews, on the river St. 
Croix, which is capable of carrying ships of considerable burthen up to this 
place. About four miles further up stands Mill Town, both thriving places ; 
on the American side of the river, Calais is immediately opposite to St. 
Stephen's and Upper Calais to Mill Town. Baring in another flourishing 
village, with anotner village of the same name across the river, and conse- 
quently on the State of Maine. There are a great number of Saw Mills on 
each side of the St. Croix, and the inhabitants, respectively keep up a con- 
stant and friendly intercourse, only vieing with each other in the march of 
improvement ; so much so that it is observed that whenever a Saw Mill or 



137 

a village is established on the one side, another soon springs up to corres- 
pond with it on the other. The Americans have a railroad running seven 
or eight miles up the St. Croix, which facilitates the conveyance of lumber 
from the upper mills to the place of embarkation. Ferry boats are con- 
stantly plying on the river between the several towns which are opposite to 
each other. 

There are many flourishing villages and settlements eastward of St. An- 
drews, along the road leading parallel with the Bay Shore to Saint John ; 
as there are also in the interior of the County, the principal of the latter 
being the Colebrooke Settlement, (named from the late Lieut. Governor) 
in the west, and the Anderson's, Tryon, Baillie, Flume Ridge, and Clarence 
Hill, the latter in a fine district, with a road running to the Harvey Settle- 
ment ; all of which lie scattered through the central part of the county, 
There are large tracts of fine ungranted land in the north, and especially 
in the north-west districts, and one of excellent quality about the Magagua- 
davie and Digdequash rivers and their numerous branches, where there is 
room for much further settlement ; on both rivers there are many saw mills. 
Charlotte is intersected by several great roads, and by a large number of 
bye roads, along them are frequent settlements and clearings, which with 
the excellent saw and other milling establishments on the streams, present, 
on the whole a thriving mercantile, and to a considerable extent, agricul- 
tural appearance. 

The county is divided into the parishes of St. Andrews, St. Stephens, 
St. Davids, St. James. St. Patrick, St. George and Pennfield, together with 
the island, parishes of Campo Bello, Grand Manan, and West Isles the 
latter including Deer and other small islands contiguous to it. The value 
of articles manufactured in the county in 1851, exclusive of lumber and 
fish, amounted to .£15,472. It has a bench of 36 magistrates, dispersed 
through its villages and settlements, and possesses also a Chief Probate and 
other Courts, and a Begister Office. 

Agricuttiwe.—The agriculture of this county, although it was settled 
soon after the discovery of the Province, has not, until recently, made very 
rapid advances. It contained 35,135 acres of clear land in 1840, and in 
1851, 45.636, being an addition of 10.521 acres in 11 years, while its pop- 
ulation in the same period had only increased 1760. In farming stock, 
again, the increase has been small while the quantity of butter made in 1851 
exceeds that of any other county except Kings and York, being 441,522 
pounds. In other agricultural productions, the improvement has not been 
far behind that of many other counties in the Province. 

North of the Town of St. Andrew's, there are a number of well culti- 
vated farms : as there are also in the neighborhood of Mill Town. The 
frontier portions of the parishes of St. Andrew's, St Stephen's, St. James'. 
St. David's and St. Patrick's, are much better calculated for farming opera- 
tions than their more central parts, where the lands are stony ; a character 
which in many places extends fully northward and eastward to the bounda- 
ries of York and Sunbury ; but there is a new settlement forming in the 
northeast angle of the County called Crofton, with a road leading from thence 
to the Merepis road. On the seaboard the fogs of the Bay of Fundy cause 
the grain to rust to some extent, more especially wheat, and therefore, the 
arising of that crop is somewhat precarious. In a part of St. Patrick, and 
also in St. George and Pennfield, there are some fine tracts intervening be- 
tween the bills and along the margins of streams, but & great portion of tfee&s 
20 



138 

parishes also is broken, dry, and in many places stony. The principal por- 
tion of the northern section of the country is yet in a -wilderness state, ex- 
cept these parts of St. Andrew's and St. James', which are traversed by the 
St Andrew's Railway, which is opening up this district and rendering it ac- 
cessible to the farmer, the lumberer and the manufacturer, so that almost 
every arable spot. in the vicinity is being explored, and will speedily be occu- 
pied. The railway company, hold by grant from the Government, a large 
tract of land on each side of their line, which they are now taking means 
for filling up with settlers. 

Railway. — This undertaking is a striking instance of what the combin- 
ation of perseverance, determination and industry will effect. The people 
of Charlotte have manifested the operation of these elements to an extent 
yet unparalled in this country; they are fast pushing on their railroad to 
completion, after having encountered, and by their energy overcome obsta- 
cles which at first appeared almost insurmountable. This railway starts 
from the harbor of St. Andrew's, which is open to navigation at all seasons 
of the year; and, after leaving that town and the circumjacent settlements, 
runs through an almost unbroken forest, crossing the county of York, obli- 
quely, to Woodstock in Carleton, the remainder of its path to Quebec is not 
yet defined. By this means the wealth of the wilderness, whether it con- 
sists of the forest trees, the mines and minerals including the Woodstock 
iron and copper ores, or the agricultural riches of the soil, will be transported 
to the seaport of St. Andrews, for consumption, manufacture, or exporta- 
tion. 

Roads. — In addition to the railway, and the roads connected therewith, 
this county has the great mail road from St. John to the United States, 
passing nearly along its frontier ; also, the great road running northerly 
from St. Andrew's through Brookway, Harvey and Hanville settlements to 
Fredericton, and another from the same place to Woodstock. The south- 
western part of the county is one complete net-work of bye-roads, leading 
to every one of its numerous settlements: and the Sc. Croix river is cross- 
ed into the States at several different points ; and new roads, affording new 
facilities for settlement, are being opened. The northwestern district is, 
howler, almost destitute of roads, except what is called the old road to 
Fredericton ; a new line, to be called the red rock road, is laid out, but not 
yet opened. Roads also run up both sides of the Magaguadavie river for 
some distance, and there are no less than three bridges over it. Ther? are 
also roads up both margins of the Digdequash river, and new communica- 
tions with these will no doubt soon be opened 

Geology, Minerals, fyc. — The great coal formation of this Province d 
not extend to this county, which consists of detatched patches of granite, 
trap, lower silurean, and an extensive tract of the Cambrian system. Marl 
has been discovered in several places, and lime has been found on a penin- 
sula extending into L'Etang harbor, in the parish of St. George, where, in 
1851, there were 15,100 casks manufactured. Plumbago and slate have 
been met with in different parts of the comity. The oxides and sulphates 
of iron, and iron pyrites, have been discovered by Dr. Gesner, but no ex- 
tensive body of this ore has yet been found, although the geological charac- 
ter of the country strongly favors the presence of this mineral. Thin 
veins of lead ore (Galena) have been found by the Doctor on Campo Bello 
island; Bpeaking of this island, ho says, that li the hornblende rock is 
" a id "it '*8 filled with the Sulpharato of iron, whioh from He 



139 

decomposition, covers the rocks with the sulphate of that metal ; and thus 
an excellent opportunity is afforded for the manufacture of alum and cop- 
peras. 

In prosecuting the explorations east of St. Andrew's, he discovered at 
Magaguadavie some veins cf copper, specimens of which, on being analysed, 
he found to contain — 

" Copper, 76.5 

Sulphur, 19 

Iron, 4 

99.5," 

He proceeds: — " It is, therefore, a rich ore of copper; the veins increase 
in thickness as they descend, and there can be little doubt that those already 
discovered are connected with a far greater deposit situate beneath the sur- 
face. In Cornwall, in England, I have seen seams of copper ore, of dimen- 
sions no greater than those just mentioned, worked at the depth of eight- 
een hundred feet below the surface. Were the veins at Magaguadavie ex- 
plored to one half of this depth, they doubtless would be found of far great- 
er thickness." After a further extension of his explorations, he says, 
" That the necessary quantity of ore does exist, there can be no doubt; and 
I feel the fullest confidence in its final developement." From the explora- 
tions that have been made by the Doctor, and others, it may be fairly in- 
ferred that valuable mineral substances will yet be discovered in this broken 
country. 

Fisheries. — The Bay of Passamaquoddy, studded by a group of islands, 
and its inner bay, harbors and rivers, afford facilities for carrying on the 
fisheries not surpassed by any section, of equal extent, on the Bay of Fun- 
dy. The principal kinds of fish taken in these waters are pollock, cod, her- 
ring, mackarel and haddock : and the chief places for carrying on the fish- 
eries are Campo Bello, where there are excellent fishing establishments, 
Grand Manan, West Isles, and the harbors of the parish of St. George ; 
there are also some fisheries along the coast of the parish of Pennfield, in 
the eastern part of the county. 

Campo Bello. — From a report made to M. H. Ferley, Esq., the value of 
fish taken on this island during the year 1850, amounted to ,£9,825 7s. 6d. ; 
and by the census of 1851, they. were estimated at £10 ; 078. 

Grand Manan. — This island, with its harbors, coves, and circumjacent 
islets, affords vast facilities for the efficient prosecution of this branch of in- 
dustry. The number of boats engaged in it in August, 1850, was 94, man- 
ned by 282 men. Fishing vessels, of a larger size, numbered 24, and their 
crews to 112 men The value of the fisheries of this island, in 1851, 
amounted to £6,885. 

West Isles. — The inhabitants of these islands, the principal of which are 
Deer Island and Indian Island, included with other smaller ones in this 
parish, chiefly live by fishing. In 1851 the value of their catch was given 
as £9,835. 

There are not less than 16,000 seamen, 350 boats, and about 70 vessels 
engaged in the fisheries of all these islands. 

The fisheries carried on along the coast, from St. Andrew's to the Saint 
John county line, are not extensive, with the exception of those at L'Etang, 
which were estimated, in x851, at £3,340. The people here, as in most 



140 

other parts of the Province, unite this pursuit with their agricultural opera- 
tions. 

The aggregate value of the fisheries of this county, in 1851, doubled 
that of any other in the Province, amounting to '£31,438. This result, no 
doubt, arises from the proximity of this section of the Province to the Uni- 
ted States, which afford them, in addition to their own increasing towns and 
villages, a ready market for the produce of the sea. 

Ship -building. — This branch of industry is carried on along the differ- 
ent harbors and rivers of this country, as the following reports will shew : 

New Vessels registered in 1850, 8 1,865 tons. 

1851, 6 109 " 

" " 1852, 5 1,680 " 

1853, 7 1,771 " 

The port of St. Andrew's will, on the completion of its railway, have a 
decided advantage over many of the other sea ports in the Province, in the 
facilities, it will afford for the conveyance of timber and lumber from the 
interior : 

No. Tens. Men. 

Vessels entered inwards in 1852, 743 89,845 4,322 

1853, 843 998,898 4^880 

Inwards in 1852, 720 91,365 4,334 

1853, 804 101,402 4,909 

Education. — There is a Grammar School at St. Andrew's, attended in 
1851 by 23 pupils; in the same year there were 94 parish schools houses, 
attended by 2,889 scholars ; in 1853, there were 88 school houses, attended 
by 2,876 scholars, shewing a decrease of 11 in the attendance of scholars ; 
besides this there were 175 pupils at private schools. 

The School Inspector for this county, in his report to the Provincial 
Board of Education, complains of the apathy of parents or guardians of 
children, in not availing themselves of the benefits of education— a com- 
plaint appliable to other sections of the Province as well as Charlotte ; he 
says, "it does not proceed from poverty, inasmuch as the ordinary busi- 
ness of the country was never in a more prosperous state than at the pre- 
sent time." There are fifty three places of worship belonging to different 
denominations. 

PARISHES. 

Saint Andreitfs.— This parish is not very extensive, but is well filled up 
and its available acres, which, in its immediate vicinity, are of good quality, 
are all occupied. On the front of a peninsula running into a bay about 
twenty miles in length, and nearly ten in w r idth, stands the town, with its 
wharves, streets and public buildings, all of which are regular. The streets 
are laid out, parallel to the general direction of the wharves, on an undu- 
lating ridge, and the neat public and private buildings, together with the 
surrounding landscape, give the whole place an inviting appearance. The 
population of the parish, by the census of 1851, was 3,910, and at the 
present time may be about 5,000. The town contains a chamber of com- 
merce, Banks, Bible and other Societies, an emigration office, barracks, a 
gaol, and other public buildings, together with its usual quota, in common 
with the other parishes, of local officers, which are annually elected by the 
rate payers. Large vessels load at the Ledge in Oak bay, a little to the 



141 

west of the town ; and this is the principal place for shipment of lumber, 
&c., for Europe. There are steamboats from St. Andrews' to Eastport and 
other towns on the American side of the Bay. 

Saint Stephen's. — This parish, with its capital of the same name, and 
its auxiliary villages, Upper and Lower Milltown, is situate at the head of 
Oak bay, and along the St. Croix river. At the village of Saint Stephen, 
which is at the head of ship navigation, there are a number of neat public 
and private edifices. Many of the saw mills on this and the other rivers 
of the county are constructed on the best water power principles ; those on 
the St. Croix manufacture vast quantities of lumber, much of which is 
shipped from this parish. The growth of these villages has been owing prin- 
cipally to the lumbering and manufacturing operations, and now, that atten- 
tion is turned more particularly to the farming interests, as well as to other 
avocations, we may reasonably expect a more rapid progress in these dis- 
tricts as well as in the town of St. Andrew's. This parish possesses mine- 
ral springs, whose waters are said to be highly medicinal. 

St. James 1 lies north of St. Stephen's, and extends to the County line, 
of York and the American boundary. This parish is much larger than the 
two first described, and is fast improving both in the extension of roads and 
settlements. Its population in 1851 amounted to 1,756. Lumbering has 
hitherto been the principal occupation of its inhabitants ; but there are ex- 
tensive tracts of good land, and all that is required is roads to make them 
available. The Parker Settlement is thriving. 

Saint David's. — The. frontier part of this parish lies between the towns 
of St. Andrew's and St. Stephen's, and has a front upon Oak Ba^. This 
and the parishes already described are laid out in the most irregular manner 
possible. It contains, at the head of the bay some good land for .agricul- 
tural purposes, but the great bulk, with some few exceptions, is rather un- 
favorable to the farmer ; it contained in 1851, 6,086 acres of cleared land. 

Saint Patricks lies east of Saint David's, Saint James's, and Saint 
Andrew's, and extends from Passamaquoddy Bay to the County Line, the 
northward. 

Saint George's is next to the eastward and bounds on the last parish. 
The river L'Etary is, the boundary between this parish and Pennfield, and 
at its mouth is a small well sheltered and safe harbor for large ships. 

The two last named parishes, St. Patrick and St. George, are well inter- 
sected along their frontier with roads and rivers. The Magaguadavie and 
Digdequash both run through these parishes, and there are milling estab- 
lishments, and good settlements, on both riversj; and on Lake Utopia, there 
are large tracts, of what Professor Johnston calls second and third rate land 
for farming purposes. As timber is becoming more scarce along the water 
communications, people are turning more of their attention to agriculture, 
and this land will, no doubt, be thu3 brought into cultivation. At the mouth 
of the Magaguadavie there i3 a beautiful harbor, and from thence to the 
lower Falls, a distance of about ten miles, the river is navigable for boats. 
At this point the stream falls in a chasm only thirty feet wide, by five suc- 
cessive steps, over a rock one hundred feet in height, and this spot, for 
picturesque beauty, is exceeded by few in the Province. Here is also the 
town of St. George, a handsome settlement on the high road between St. 
John's and St. Andrew's, and an extensive saw mill establishment. There 
are abo mills and a village at the Falls some miles further up the river. 

Pennfield is the only remaining parish on the mainland, running from 



142 

St. George's to the County of St. John. Although it contains nearly one 
third of the County, it is chiefly unsettled, except along the borders of the 
Bay shore and rivers. It has suffered from that too common mixture of the 
two employments of farmer and fisherman, which has been before noticed 
There are however some good settlements at the head and on both sides of 
Lepreau harbor. 

There are a great number of islands belonging to this county most of 
which are attached to other parishes, but there are three islands, viz : Cam- 
po Bello, and Grand Manan, each respectively consisting of the islands so 
named, and West Isles, consisting of Deer Island and the other islands con- 
tiguous to it. The south branch of the Orimocto has its origin in a lake in 
this parish. 

Campo Bello is nearly eight miles long by about two in breadth ; fishing 
is the principal occupation of its inhabitants ; and it has several harbors 
where small crafts may enter and lye in safety. The island belongs to Ad- 
miral Owen, and is separated from Lubec, in the State of Maine, by a nar- 
row passage, it contained in 1851, 679 acres of cleared land, and a popu- 
lation of 865 persons, with four school houses attended by 137 scholars and 
two places of worship. 

The Parish of West Isles contains a population of 1.252 persons, and 
has 1,798 acres of cleared land, including Deer Island, which has very 
little good land on it, but its harbors are safe. This island is about twelve 
miles long, and about three in breadth; there are a number of lesser is- 
lands, contributing more or less to the statistics of West Isles. The inha- 
bitants of all are principally engaged in fishing. 

Grand Manan. — The last of the parishes in the order of description, 
is situated about thirteen miles southerly of the American coast, and is of 
an oval shape, about twenty miles in length, and averaging five in breadth. 
It consists of lofty mural precipices, with little land fit for farming purpo- 
ses ; the water around is deep in many places close to the shore, with bold 
perpendicular rocks. The coves and islet3 adjacent, afford shelter for ves- 
sels, but the principal rendezous for shipping is Dock Harbor ; which is a 
salt water lake, measuring about one mile and a fourth in length, by half a 
mile in breadth ; the depth of water ranges from five to eight and a half 
fathoms. This sheet of water was, until as recentiy as 1846, entirely cut 
off from communication with the eea, by a high wall of gravel and stones, 
when a passage was cut through this wall of sufficient width and depth to 
admit large vessels ; this entrance is protected by a break water built on 
the western side. The advantages arising to the fisheries of the island from 
this newly created harbor are great ; besides sheltering the vessels from stones 
it affords within its walls a good herring fishery. The inlet to this valua- 
ble port, however, requires deepening, and the break water should be ex- 
tended, In 1851, this island contained 1,823 acres of cleared land, and a 
population of 1,187 souls, four places of worship, and four schools, attended 
by 148 children. 



143 






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Population, 

Families, ) 

Inhabited houses, < 

Places of worship, \ 

i 



Grist mills, 
Saw mills, 
Cleared land, 
Horses, 
Neat Cattle, 
Sheep, 
Swine, 



1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 



Comparison. 

{ Increase in 11 years, 1,760 

I .. .. 



1851, 19,938 
1840, 18,178 



3,422 

2,910 

3,183 

2,622 

53 

36 

14 

16 

102 

10 



512. 



! 



561 



17. 



t \ 



1851, 45,656 



Decrease 



Increase 



1,667 
1,133 
8,575 
7,823 
1851, 11,846 } 
1840, 11,759 $ 
1851, 2,326 I 



1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 



1840, 4 : 286 



Decrease 



534. 



752. 



87. 



1,960 



KING'S COUNTY. 



Boundaries. — King's south bj the City and County of Saint John, west 
by Charlotte, east by the prolongation of the eastern boundary of St. John, 
and south, by a line run north sixty-two degrees and thirty-four minutes 
east, and south sixty-two degrees and thirty-four minutes west, by Deputy 
Welkinson, from the lower end of Spoon Island, in the year 1838, and its 
southerly prolongation, as surveyed by Deputy Whipple, in the year 
1853." 

Civil Divisions, and General Description. — The County of King's is 
divided into nine parishes : Kingston, the shire town, Hampton, Horton, 
Upham, Sussex, Studholm, and Springfield on the east side of the Saint 
John, and Greenfield and Westfield, the former on the west side of the St. 
John, and the latter crossing the river opposite the lower part of Long Beach, 
and embracing also a part of the land we3t of the Kennebecasis ; thus not 
only separating the people of one part of the County from those of the 
other, but even dividing the parish by a river which is frequently impassa- 
ble. From this cause municipal operations must be much retarded as well 
in this county as in many others on this river : and the only remedy we 
can see for these inconveniences, especially in the location of the counties, 
is a new arrangement of some of them making the river Saint John tho 
front ; and this might be done without much disturbing the county and pa- 
rochial organizations. 

The upland of this county is literally divided into isolated tracts by the 
river Saint John, and the Kennebecasis and Bellisle Bays and their numer- 
ous tributories. It contains, exclusive of these extensive sheets of water, 
849,920 acres of land, of which 062,752 acres are granted ; of these 120,- 
923 are cleared and consequently 728,997 acres are still in a wilderness 
state. The county is dotted throughout its whole length by a chain of hills, 
giving it a broken, an4 somewhat mountainous and voloanio aspect. Many 



145 

of the acclivities, where they are not rocky, afford good arable land up to 
the tops of the hills ; and the whole district with its hills and large tracts 
of intervale and meadow, bays and rivers, a varied and presents somewhat 
of a romantic appearance. Besides the usual county officers, it possesses a 
bench of thirty-seven magistrates. 

Rivers and Streams. — The Kennebecasis is 70 miles long, is navigable 
for steamers for upwards of 20 miles, and has its confluence with the St. John 
at the lower line of the county. This inland bay, as it may be called, ex- 
tends lengthwise of the county for eighteen miles, and a river of the same 
name extends into the county of Albert, one branch of which runs north- 
eastly, rising within two miles of the head of the Annegance, a tributory 
of the Petitcoudiac. In the parish of Sussex this river is divided into va- 
rious branches. Mill stream, Smith's Creek, Salmon river, and Ward's 
Creek, all of which are fed by several smaller streams. Hammond river 
enters the Kennebecasis bay from the south-east, and takes its rise partly 
in the county of Saint John. 

At a distance of twenty-eight miles above the city, and just above Long 
Beach, Belleisle Bay enters the river St. John ; at the head of which is a 
river of the same name. The latter flows from the north-eastward nearly 
parallel to the Kennebecasis. Some of the mountains towards the heads of 
these streams are lofty ; Pisgah, Piccadilla, and Moose Hill are among the 
most prominent. The country between Bellisle Bay and the source of the 
Washademoak river, in Queen's county is very flat. 

The Section of the county lying on the south-west of the Saint John 
is watered by the Musquash river, and its tributory streams and lakes, and 
also by the Merepis ; these rivers all pass between lofty hills. Nearly all 
the streams of this county, especially towards their sources, present great 
facilities for mills and other establishments requiring water power. 

Kingston, the shiretown, is situated in a very inconvenient part of the 
county, which is the reason of its not advancing with the same rapidity as 
other villages in the Province similarly circumstanced, or even as Hampton, 
or the villages in the Sussex Vale, either of which would be more conveni- 
ent as the head quarters of the County. Kingston is a neat little village, 
in the midst of a broken district, containing much good land which is well 
improved. Here are all the public buildings of the County, the courts held, 
and all the public business transacted. 

Agriculture and Roads. — Though the arable lands of this county are 
isolated in consequence of the rivers, lakes and hills, which every where 
present themselves, still it is the best agricultural county in the Province ; 
not but that there are many other counties possessing equal advantages in 
this respect, but from their remoteness from markets, and the proximity of 
this county to St. John, the best market in the Lower Provinces, it has 
taken the lead of the others in agricultural progress. It possesses large 
tracts of sea and upland alluvium, commencing at the mouth of the Ken- 
nebecasis bay, extending up the river and its branches, up Salmon river to 
the boundary of Albert and along the mill streams for about sixteen miles ; 
there are also similar tracts along Smith's Creek for about ten miles, on 
Wood's Creek for five or six miles, on the Annegance for five miles, on 
Trout Brook for fifteen miles, and from the head of Bellisle bay for eight 
miles, as well as on numerous other creeks and coves of its extensive water 
courses ; thus a large portion of the area of jthis county consists of alluvial 
deposits. 

21 



146 

The Mail road from Saint John to Halifax enters the county a short dis- 
tance from the city of Saint John, and passes through a broken district of 
poor land, though there are some few fine farms on the way, as proofs what 
industry can effect. At Hampton Ferry, so called from the mails and pas- 
sengers having been ferried over the Hampton river, until the recent erec- 
tion of a bridge, a neat village has sprung up, a little above the head of the 
Kennebecasis Bay. This is a good farming district from the extent of al- 
luvial land, marsh and intervale, already mentioned, but the upland is rather 
strong and of ordinary quality. The tide runs about four miles above the 
village of Hampton, in the parish of the same name, to which place wood 
boats, and small crafts, ascend the river ; this place is about nine miles from 
Kingston. This road then passes through a good agricultural district, tra- 
versing the parish of Norton, and the principal part of Sussex, along the 
margin of the Kennebecasis which it crosses about fifty-seven miles from 
Saint John. Sussex Yale as it is often called, is a neat, though scattered, 
settlement, the centre of a rich and fertile district, abounding with alluvial 
intervale but from thence to within about eight miles of Westmoreland coun- 
ty the soil becomes poor and sterile. 

Koads belt the west side of the Kennebecasis, the east side of the Saint 
John river, and both sides of Bellisle Bay, along which continuous settle- 
ments are found. Also from the post road at Sussex Vale others diverge 
northwesterly to connect with the roads in Queen's county, and intersecting 
the road from the Petitcoudiac to Fredericton. Another line of road ex- 
tends easterly from Sussex Vale to Saint John and Albert Counties. 

The principal settlements, in addition to these on the roads already des- 
cribed, are Smith's Creek, Mill Stream, Mechanics, Springfield, and Dutch 
Valley settlements ; the latter extends up Trout Brook. There is a chain 
of settlements extending from the confluence of the Saint John with the 
Belleisle Bay, and from the Long Beach to Queen's county line, and along 
that line north-easterly, known by the several names of the East and West 
Scotch Settlements, and Irish, English, Keirstead, Snider Mountain, and 
Butternut ridge Settlements. 

The parishes of Greenwich and Westfield consist of poor broken land, 
generally unfit for cultivation, except along the Merepis and Mushquash 
rivers, where there are some intervale tracts of good quality. The Mere- 
pis road on its way to Fredericton crosses the last named parish ; and ano- 
ther road extends up the Saint John, along the westerly margin of Long 
Reach, a peculiarly straight part of that river ; this road follows the gene- 
ral meanderings of the stream to Fredericton. 

The only remaining tracts of ungranted land in this county are situate 
between the head of Mill Stream and Queen's County Line ; this tract is 
good, but not extensive. Two or three years more will probably deprive the 
government of any right to land in this county. 

In addition to these roads, villages and settlements, and the varied im- 
provements making thereon, the Railway between Shediac and Saint John 
will traverse not less than fifty miles of the county, running in the vicinity 
of the post road ; the county will probably have the advantage of two de- 
pots, which almost invariably become, as soon as established, the nucleus of 
towns, and the centres of trade and commerce. 

Looking at Kings' County in an agricultural, commercial and geographi- 
cal point of view, and having regard to its roads, railroad, and telegraphic 
communications, we see every reason for its advancement in these respects, 



147 

and for its maintaining at no distant period, three times its present popula- 
lation. One of the drawbacks to the progress of this and other counties, 
especially these near towns, is the circumstance of many persons holding 
large tracts of the best land unimproved, which are daily being increased in 
value by the settlement of lands around them, and therefore at the expense 
of others, without contributing to the construction of roads or the support 
of schools, but on the contrary retarding these and other objects of public 
benefit. 

This county has the benefit of the Electric Telegraph Line to the extent 
of seventy miles, an office is open at the village in Sussex Vale, and another 
is about to be established at Hampton. 

Ship-building. — The facilities for carrying on this branch of industry 
presented by this county can hardly be surpassed by any other in the 
Province. Its inland bays and rivers not only afford situations for ship- 
yards, but also the means for the easy conveyance of lumber and other ma- 
terials. However the people generally pursue the more safe avocation of 
tilling the soil. Though not many ships have been built within the limits 
of he county, still it has furnished large quantities of timber and logs for 
the markets of Saint John. 

Lumbering operations have been carried to a considerable extent in this 
county ; but the farmers have confined themselves in most instances to their 
own pursuits, and have very poperly left this business to others ; hence 
has arisen the superiority of Kng's in the scale of agriculture over most 
of the other counties of New Brunswick. There is a steam saw-mill at 
Hampton, where large quantities of lumber are annuallymanufactured, and 
taken to Saint John, and thence exported to the markets of Britain. 

Fisheries.— Almost all the inland water of this county have been haunts 
of salmon and other fish, and might have continued to be so, but for the 
mill-dams, and the irregular manner and time of taking them, adopted by 
the inhabitants. Hence the fisheries of the Saint John river and its tribu- 
tories will, unless some remedial steps be speedily taken and enforced, short- 
ly be extinguished. 

Minerals. — As far as Geological research has extended in this county, it 
is not known to possess much coals. A part of the Albert and Westmore- 
land coal-field, however, extends to it, from the head of Pollet river in a 
westerly and southerly direction towards Mill Stream, Ward's Creek, and 
Trout Brook. Dr. Gesner, in his second report, (page 63) speaks of "a 
stratum of impure cannel coal, about three feet in thickness," and says 
that, " from the quantities of this kind of coal mingled with the debris of 
the surface, it is evident that it exists in much greater quantities, and of a 
quality more pure, in situations, more concealed by beds of sand and other 
detrited matter." 

The outcrop of coal has been discovered in the head banks of Mill 
Stream, and other branches of the Kennebecasis ; with respect to the coal 
in Dutch Valley, Dr. Gesner adds, " although the larger and most impor- 
tant beds of coal remain undiscovered, * * * yet an advancement is 
made towards their developement." 

Iron ore. — King's County is said to be rich in iron ore of good quality; 
at Moose Hill in the parish of Springfield, about three miles north of Bell- 
isle Bay, an extensive deposit of this ore was discovered by Dr. Gesner in 
1841, about which, in page 52 of his 3d report, he says, "a mass taken 
from the common variety yielded sixty per cent of metallic iron. How far 



148 

this enormous metallic deposite extends in an east and west direction we 
were unable to determine ; but, judging from the effect it had upon the 
compasses, it doubtless continues to the distance of several miles. From 
these facts it is believed to be one of the most extensive veins of iron ore in 
the British Provinces ; being sufficient to supply America with iron for 
thousands of years. A similar kind of iron ore is abundant in Sweden, 
where numerous quantities of the best kind are smelted, and shipped to 
Great Britain." The facilities for manufacturing iron at this place are 
numerous ; besides abundance of wood in the neighborhood of the ore, coals 
can easily be procured from the Grand Lake coal field ; thus fuel is abun- 
dant. Water power is equally so ; and these advantages, placed in the 
midst of a flourishing country, and added to the excellent character of the 
ore, must vastly increase its commercial worth. 

Dr. Gesner, in his second report, (page 47) says, " In many of the bogi 
and swamps of Sussex Vale, there are extensive deposits of bog iron ore," 
which he adds, " might be worked with advantage, being of good quality, 
and situated where wood for fuel is abundant, also on account of its proxi- 
mity to a part of the coal field." In his third report, he adds, " in some 
of the swamps there are collections of bog iron ore, of considerable thick- 
ness, and capable of supplying large quantities of iron;" and he says in 
his second report, " from their annual increase, they are several feet in 
thickness. 

Limestone and Gypsum are abundant throughout the county, especially 
at Trout Brook, and in most of the lofty hills environing Sussex Vale, on 
the Mill stream, at Butternut Ridge, Smith's Creek, and several other pla- 
ces. A good quality of Granite, out of which some of the public buildings 
at Kingston are constructed, is also found on the Saint John river, and in 
some other parts of the County. 

Mineral Springs are numerous. In the parish of Sussex, about 
three miles from its village, and near the post-road and railway line, are 
two excellent salt springs, where a small salt manufactory is established, but 
which has been allowed, through mismanagement, to fall into decay ; still 
small quantities for domestic use in the neighborhood, are annually manu- 
factured. The process is evaporation, by boiling in iron vessels, when the 
establishment and machinery, which was on a limited scale, were in good 
working condition, from twelve to fifteen bushels were produced per day, 
every hundred gallons of water yielding one bushel of pure salt, which is of 
excellent quality, and highly prized by farmers, especially in the prepara- 
tion of butter. Now that a railway, passing so near, is being constructed, 
it will 'not be unreasonable to anticipate the immediate commencement of 
more extensive operations in this and other branches of industry. There 
is a good salt spring between the head of Smith's Creek and the head of the 
Annegance ; and similar springs have been observed in other parts of the 
country. Dr. Gesner says, in his second report, (page 48) that, " there 
can be no doubt that the beds of salt, communicating their properties to 
these springs, might be found by judicious boring ; and, should the wants 
of the country ever require it, an inexhaustable supply of this necessary 
mineral might be procured." 

Education. — In no part of the census returns are we so able to detect 
error as in the numbers attending the schools. Comparing the inspectors 
returns for 1853 with the census, we find, notwithstanding the great visi- 
ble improvement in every branch of trade, and in the growth of farm pro- 



149 

duce, since the census was taken, a decrease in the school attendance in 
some counties, while in others there is an unprecedented increase, so far as 
regards the parish schools. 

In this county, the number of scholars in 1853, was 2,507 

In 1851, " 1,880 



Increase in two years, 627 

This increase, though not equal to that of some of the other counties, is 
a very legitimate one ; and in all probability the census of this county, in 
this particular, is near the truth. Its proximity to the city of Saint John 
affords it superior scholastic facilities to those of many of the other coun- 
ties of the Province. 



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151 



Comparison. 



Population, 

Families, 

Inhabited houses, 

Places of worship, 

Grist mills, 

Saw mills, 

Cleared land, 

Horses, 

Neat Cattle, 

Sheep, 

Swine, 



1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 



14 464 \ Inorease in n y® 8 * 8 * 4 > 3 78. 
♦ " 740. 

" " 748. 

27. 
a « 3 

51,471. 



3,046 

2,306 

2,926 

2,178 

61 

34 

46 

43 

75 

68 

120,923 

69,452 

2,988 

2,396 

18,295 

15,672 

31,235 

24,072 

7,338 

9,408 



Decrease 



592. 
2,623. 
7,163. 
2,070, 



QUEEN'S COUNTY. 

Boundaries. — " Queen's, bounded south easterly, by King's ; north 
easterly by the prolongation of the eastern boundary of King's, and the 
line run north, fifty-six degrees and thirty minutes west, by Deputy Price in 
the Year of Our Lord 1841, from the northwest angle of Westmoreland ; 
southwesterly by Charlotte, and northwesterly by the lines run from the 
lower line of Lot number one (Conrad Stirich) south-westerly by Deputy 
Wilkinson, in the year 1832. and Deputy O'Connor in the year 1843, 
and northeasterly by Deputy Monro in the year 1846." 

General Description. — This irregularly located county contains 961,280 
acres of land, exclusive of large sheets of water ; out of which 514,204 
acres are granted ; and of this quantity, there were in 1851. 63,719 cleared • 
consequently, at that time, there were not less than 897,561 acres in an 
unimproved state. In 1851, it numbered 10,634 persons. 

Besides the river Saint John, which runs across the county, dividing it 
into two unequal parts, the largest being on the north-east side of the river, 
it is watered on the south-west by the Merepis, and its numerous tributaries, 
the Octnabog river and lake: and on the north-east it has Grand Lake 
with many supplying streams, the principal of which are the Gaspereaux 
and Salmon rivers, running through its whole length ; and, near the lower 
line of the county, and almost parallel thereto runs the Washademoak lake 
and river, and their tributories ; this sheet of water runs north-easterly, and 
nearly parallel to Grand Lake and its principal branches, and is navigable 
for steamers and other smaller craft. The next sheet of water of impor- 
tance, is Maquapit Lake, which is above four miles in length by nearly two 
in breadth : this and French Lake, the latter being situate in the lower 
part of the county of Sunbury, are connected by a deep winding channel, 
three miles long, called a thoroughfare— it is studded on both sides with oak, 



152 

elm, maple, and other trees ; the land is very wet, so much so that it is un- 
fit for cultivation. The whole country around the lower part of Grand 
Maquapit and French Lake, and their outlets, is flat, and during spring 
freshets, is covered with water, together with a large extent of the land both 
up and down on the easterly bank of the Saint John river, thus acquiring 
a rich deposit of alluvium. At these periods the whole tract extending 
from the west bank of that river for three or four miles eastward, is one 
vast expanse of water, exclusive of Grand Lake, with which it is connected. 
On the freshets abating the face of the country appears to be literally bro- 
ken up into fragmentary districts of land and water. The contrast between 
the appearance of this neighborhood at such periods, and that presented about 
the first of July, with the unequalled rapidity with which vegetation is per- 
fected, must be matter of astonishment to the stranger. 

Roads. — There are numerous main roads traversing the county on the 
west of the main river. Besides that running along its margin, there is the 
Merepis road from Saint John to Fredericton, a road from Gagetown to in- 
tersect the last mentioned road, and a road from Fredericton, via. the forks 
of the Oromocto, to a junction with the Merepis road near the lower line 
of the county ; and also a road from the Saint John, along the upper boun- 
dary till it joins the Merepis road. On turning to the opposite side of the 
river, we find that in addition to the road along its margin, each side of 
Grand Lake and Salmon river, as well as Washademoak Lake and river, 
are belted by roads ; thus, between its water communications and its roads, 
the interior of this county is well opened up for inspection. The land fit 
for cultivation, bordering both on the roads, and rivers, or lakes is nearly 
all granted and thinly settled. A new road is now being made between the 
settlements on Salmon river, and those on the Richibucto, which will not 
only open to the settlers on the latter, a communication with the Saint John, 
but will also pave the way for a new line of settlements through a wilder- 
ness tract, much of which is fit for agricultural operations. The road run- 
ning from the mouth of the Nashwaak, to the Petitcoudiac river above the 
Bend, passes round the head of Grand Lake, and by the New Canaan set- 
tlement, through the most eastern portion of the county. 

Agriculture. — The character of the land in an agricultural point of view, 
is equal to that of King's, already described, and superior to that of Sun- 
bury. Besides possessing in common with those counties a large tract of 
alluvial land along the Saint John, and some islands in the river, which is 
also subject to the same periodical inundations, the county contains exten- 
sive tracts of strong second and third rate soils, where a great number of ad- 
ditional families might be maintained. 

The ready facilities afforded in Queen's County, for the conveyance of lum- 
ber by the land and water communications above described, have done, and still 
continue to do much to retard the progress of agriculture. Its streams pe- 
netrate the wilderness to such an extent, that the lumbering parties encamped 
on the Oxbow of the Salmon river, have had those engaged in similar opera- 
tions on the Richibucto for neighbors, while the two parties were taking 
their lumber to the sea in opposite directions. However, as the best timber 
has been taken away, so that this employment will gradually diminish, we 
may reasonably anticipate a greater attention to the more honorable pur- 
suit of farming. 

The accompanying tables will shew that, notwithstanding the lumbering 
character of the people of this county, agricultural pursuits have steadily 



153 

advanced. A large quantity of the public lands of this, and the adjoining 
counties of King's and Sunbury, have been in the possession of persons, 
called Squatters, who have not paid for their land, and live by dividing their 
time between lumbering, a little fishing, and a little farming ; their improve- 
ments are frequently purchased by those who have obtained grants of the 
land, who go on improving upon the foundations laid by these pioneers of 
the wilderness. 

Persons desirous of purchasing farms of from one to two hundred acres 
of good land, could obtain a Lot, partially improved, situate on a road in 
progress, or sometimes good and passable, for the small sum of from fifty 
to one hundred pounds ; indeed the capitalist can readily obtain farms in 
the more remote settlements,, in almost every county in the Province ; the 
disposition to sell if they possess a title, or to give a quit claim, if squatters, 
being general, and arising probably from the unsettled habits acquired while 
lumbering ; or perhaps from pecuniary distress originating in the mode in 
which this (as it is often pursued) fluctuating and unsettled occupation is 
carried on. 

In addition to the facilities afforded to small capitalists, in this and the 
adjoining counties, to locate themselves on farms, partially improved, there 
is an extensive tract of good land still ungranted, in the north-east section 
of Queen's, between the settlements on Salmon river and Coal Creek, the 
branches of the Washademoak, and Butternut ridge, and New Canaan Set- 
tlements ; where a large number of families could be placed. There are 
also many small tracts of good land yet to be obtained, abutting on the nu- 
merous settlements with which the county is intersected ; so that those who 
are desirous of settling in this neighborhood, can hardly go amiss for good 
land in favorable situations. 

Education. — In 1851, there were fifty-four school houses, and 1,159 
children attending parish schools, and 21 attending grammar schools, in the 
following year the latter had increased to 27. In 1853, there were 65 
parish schools attended by 1,643 pupils, showing an increase of 484 pupils 
in three years. 

Fisheries. — Salmon, shad, and gaspereaux ascend the Washademoak 
Lake and river, upwards of forty miles from the mouth. This lake, having 
scarcely any current, and a muddy bottom, affords, as do also many of its 
branches, good spawning ground for these fish. The next place of resort 
for these species, is Grand Lake, which enters the Saint John by a narrow, 
deep channel, already described. This sheet of water, with the streams 
falling into it, formerly afforded ample room for fish ; but latterly, saw mills 
have impeded their entrance to many of these small rivers, and the other 
abuses in the mode of conducting the fisheries have done much to put an 
end to this source of employment. The fish taken in this county, in 1851, 
were valued at .£296. 

Minerals. — The county of Queen's possesses lime, coal, and iron ore. 
The former is obtained in great abundance, on both sides of the Saint John, 
below the mouth of the Washademoak. In 1851, there were 802 casks 
burnt. 

Coal has been discovered at the head of Grand Lake, and along its banks 
and those of its branches, as well as on the Washademoak. A few years 
ago, a company was organized to raise coal in this vicinity, and they sent a 
partial supply to Saint John, Fredericton, and Gage Town ; but from the 
indifferent quality of the coal, and the thinness of the vein, not being more 



154 

than from 15 to 20 inches, the undertaking did not succeed. In 1851, 
there were 940 tons raised in the parish of Canning, which is on the west 
side of Grand Lake, and includes parts of Salmon and Newcastle rivers, on 
which the coal was found ; indeed, it has been known for upwards of forty 
years to exist in this vicinity, though very little has been done towards ren- 
dering it available ; at one period, 2000 chaldrons are said to have been 
raised per annum. The Salmon River Company, before referred to, expend- 
ed £2000 in boring to a depth of 400 feet, in the year 1837 ; and in doing 
so, passed through a few veins, but not sufficiently thick to warrant further 
operations The various beds of coal hitherto discovered in this county are, 
in ail probability, continuations of those found by this company. With re- 
gard to t^e applicability of this coal, generally, Professor Johnston says : — 
' The co 1 is bituminous, and cakes, or fuses, when heated, so as to form a hol- 
low fire admirably fitted for blacksmiths' use, but less so for ordinary grates, 
without frequent stirring." And, according to the published anticipations of 
Dr Gesner, further explorations in this county would open " other and far 
richer deposits." 

Iron is found in ditferent parts of the county ; at Coote Hill, on the south- 
west side of the St John, Dr Gesner says, in his geological report of 1841, 
page 53 : " In 1838, we discovered an enormous deposit of iron ore," the 
quality of which he does not give ; but from its proximity to another body 
of excellent quality, discovered by him in King's county, we should be led 
to believe that this deposit is good also. 

The discovery of a large body of iron ore by the writer, while surveying 
the line between this county and ^unbury, has been already noticed. 

Between the lower line of the county, and the head of Long Reach, 
there is a body of granite and slate ; the former is of the best quality of 
"gneiss, 13 being distinctly stratified, and free from any admixture likely 
to destroy its durability and beauty. This granite is not only of a superior 
quality, but its proximity to the river renders it easy of working. Blocks 
may be obtained of any dimensions requisite. This gneiss regiou was dis- 
covered by Dr. Gesner in 1838, and it has been worked to a considerable 
extent ; large quantities have been shipped to the towns and settlements on 
the £aint John river. 

Civil Divisions, fyc— Queen's county has a bench of twenty-three 
magistrates, and now contains ten parishes, viz : Gagetown, Hampstead, 
and Petersville, on the west ; and Canning, Wickham, Johnston, Water- 
borough, Brunswick, Chipman, and Cambridge, on the east side of the river. 
On account of the northeasterly prolongation of the county, and its frag- 
mentary character, broken up, as it were, by so many sheets of navigable 
water, the inhabitants of many of these parishes find it very difficult, espe- 
cially at certain seasons of the year, to reach Gagetown, the capital of the 
county. This town, in the parish of the same name, is beautifully situate 
on a small creek emptying itself into the Saint John, nearly opposite the 
outlet of the Grand Lake ; it is the halting place of the little fleet of steam- 
ers daily passing, during the summer, from Saint John, the mercantile, to 
Fredericton, the civil capital of the Province. The town is neatly laid out, 
and its public and private buildings shew a considerable degree of taste. 
What adds much, however, to the beauty of this spot, is the almost continu- 
ous charicter of the town, both up and down the river. The banks of the 
Saint John are beautifully studded with neat cottages ; and this is not the 
least of those features which render * steamboat excursion, on a summer's 



155 

day, up this river, so peculiarly delightful. The parish of Gagetown, in 
1840, contained 865 persons ; and in 1851, the population numbered 1,075. 
The accompanying statistical tables will shew the increase of the county 
in detail, according to its civil divisions. By an act of the Legislature, 
passed in the year 1852, a new parish was created, called Cambridge, out 
of the parishes of Waterborough, Johnston and Wickham, to the east of 
the Saint John. Thus, the county now contains ten parishes, instead of 
nine, which it contained in 1851, when the census was taken. The statis- 
tics of the new parish are, of course, included in those of the parishes of 
which it then formed a part. 



156 



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Inhabitants, 

Families, 

Children at school, 

School houses, 

Births, 

Deaths, 

Sick and infirm, 

Acres of land cleared, 

Places of worship, 

Saw mills, 

Grist mills, 

Agriculturists, 

Tons of hay, 

Bushels of wheat, 
" barley, 
oats, 

buckwheat, 
u Indian Corn, 
" potatoes, 
" peas and beans, 

turnips, 
" other roots, 



157 



Comparison. 



Population, 
Families, 
Inhabited houses, 
Places of worship, 
Saw mills, 
Grist mills, 
Cleared land, 
Horses, 
Neat cattle, I 



Swine, 



1851, 
1840, 


10,634 
8,232 


} 


Increase in 11 


years, 2,402. 


1851, 
1840, 


1,726 
1,235 


\ 


(C 


491. 


1851, 
1840, 


1,557 
1,168 


\ 


it < 


3S9. 


1851, 
1840, 


40 

19 


) 


tt i 


21. 


1851, 
1840, 


24 

28 


\ 


Decrease 


4. 


1851, 
1840, 


28 
19 


\ 


Increase * 


9. 


1851, 
1840, 


63,719 
43,089 


\ 


<< < 


20,630, 


1851, 


1,514 


\ 


.< 


72. 


1840, 


1,342 




1851, 
1840, 


10,612 
8,335 


\ 


(C 


2,277. 


1851, 
1840, 


16,040 
13,362 


\ 


«( 


2,678 


1851, 
1840, 


3,028 
4,859 


\ 


Decrease 


1,831. 



COUNTY OF SUNBURY. 



Boundaries. — " Sunbury, southeasterly by Queen's, south by Charlotte, 
north by the line run north, fifty- six degrees and thirty minutes west, by 
Deputy Price, in 1841, from the northwest angle of Westmoreland, and 
northwesterly by the line run north, forty-seven degrees and forty-five mi- 
nutes east, and south forty-seven degrees and forty-five minutes west, by 
Deputy Jouett, in the year 1846, from the lower boundary of the grant to 
Daniel Fukes and others, and its prolongation northeasterly." 

Rivers — This county, besides being nearly equally divided by the river 
Saint John, is watered, on the northeast, by Little River, which falls into 
French Lake, a tributory of the Saint John, Newcastle river, and some 
other streams emptying themselves into Grand Lake, in King's county. 
The only stream, of any magnitude, on the southwest side of the fcaint John, 
is the Oromocto, a deep river, as its name implies, falling into the Saint 
John eleven miles below the city of Fredericton. The Oromocto is naviga- 
ble, for a distance of twenty miles from its mouth, for large class river 
steamers, and for schooners of fifty tons burthen. It then divides into two 
branches, known as the south and northwest ; at the head of each are large 
lakes, into which, if mill dams were removed, boats could easily ascend. 

General Description and Agriculture. — Sunbury contains but five par- 
ishes, and has a bench of eighteen magistrates. It comprises 782,080 acres 
of land ; 377,078 acres are granted, leaving 405,002 still at the disposal of 
the Government. Of the granted lands, there were, in 1851, 15,587 acres 
cleared ; and thus a large portion — 361,491, besides the tracts not granted 
— is still unimproved. The soil generally, except along the margins of the 
rivers and streams, is of rather a meagre character for agricultural pursuits. 
Indeed, this inference may be drawn, as to the great bulk of the county, from 
the small quantity cleared : that it, and especially the part ungranted, is 
poor, and not inviting to settlers. It ia certain, however, that there are 



158 

considerable tracts of first rate soils on the Oromocto and its tributories, on 
the road from Fredericton to Saint John, via the junction of its principal 
branches, and also on the east side of the St. John. Almost all the lands 
fit for cultivation on these streams have been granted, and settlements are 
extended from the northwest Oromocto to the Cork Settlement, in York, 
where there are some small tracts of good land still ungranted. 

The land on both sides of the main river is good ; but on the southwest 
bank it does not extend much over one tier of lots, or about a mile from the 
river. The remainder on this side, except the tracts already described, has 
been burnt over by the fires so common and so destructive among the woods 
of these Provinces. At the mouth of the Oromocto, and bearing the same 
name, is a neat little town, in the parish of Burton, where the county offices 
are located, and the public business is transacted. At this spot, ship-build- 
ing has, at various times, been carried on with much spirit, vessels of up- 
wards of 1000 tons burthen having been constructed here. Pew places in 
this part of the Province present more advantages for this branch of busi- 
ness. There is a beautiful strip of alluvial land on the border of the river, 
especially between the town and Fredericton. 

Crossing to the opposite side of the Saint John, we come to the parish 
of Maugerville, the oldest English settlement in the Province ; it was found- 
ed in 1766. In 1770, the first court of common pleas ever held in New 
Brunswick had its sittings at this place ; and at that time, the whole of New 
Brunswick was included in the county of Sunbury. On the arrival of the 
Loyalists in 1783, the court was removed to Saint John, and from thence 
to Fredericton. The remaining parish, on this side of the river, is Shef- 
field, which, in common with the other sub-divisions of this county, is laid 
out with much more uniformity than those of the county of York, although 
the latter is the seat of the Surveyor General's Department. In 
the main river opposite these two parishes are Oromocto, Ox, Middle, and 
Maugerville islands, the latter being nearly three miles long. All these is- 
lands are very fertile, and their borders are beautifully protected and shaded 
by elms and other forest trees ; they produce large crops of excellent hay. 
The parishes of Sheffield and Blissville are the two best hay-pioducing pa- 
rishes in the county ; the latter being situate at its south-west extremity, 
has the advantage of the meadows along the numerous streams contribu- 
ting to the Oromocto ; and the former, in addition to its improved upland, 
possesses a large extent of alluvial land, bordering on the £aint John. A 
large flat tract of this description of land extends along the rivers edge, 
across the front of the parish of Maugerville, into the lower part of York, 
and continues downward through part of Queen's County, nearly to the 
Washadcmoak. The whole of this interval, except a few cf the more ele- 
vated spots, and including the river islands in front, are generally ovei flowed 
by the periodical spring, and sometimes by the autumnal freshets. These 
floods sometimes rise to a sufficient height to remove logs, and fences, and 
other loose stuff; occasionally indeed, when a freshet is accompanied by 
high winds, trees are rooted up, barns and other buildings cashed down, and 
haystacks, sheep, and other farms stock carried away by the current. In 
some places, the lower floors of the houses have been inundated, so that the 
inmates have been compelled to take to the upper stories of their dwellings, 
and sometimes to their boats or canoes, one of which is usually kept an- 
chored at the door ready for an aquatic excursion if required. 
Yet, although an addiiional amount of labor is required on the part of the 



159 

farmer, to secure his fences, and other materials that may he easily removed, 
from being swept away by these Egyptian like inundations, which rarely 
last beyond a few days, still the alluvial sediment, which, like those of the 
Mill, they annually spread over the ground, amply compensates him, by 
its enriching qualities, for this extra trouble ; and in a few days after these 
errigations cea-e, the labors of the husbandman begin, and the face of the 
country is again covered with a luxuriant vegetation. 

The northern ext emity of Sunbury, with a few exceptions, is poor, as 
has been already stated, the principal settlements therefore, besides those on 
the banks of the river St John, are the Geary, Maryland, and others on the 
Merepis road, and Oromocto river. 

Minerals.— The principal part of this County lies within the coal region 
of the Province, and some bituminous coal has been found, yet very little is 
known of any deposit worthy of notice except a few outcrops, although 
some limited explorations by boring have been undertaken , but as it is 
within the carboniferous district we may indulge the hope that future and 
more minute researches may yet be successful 

1851. — Population and other Statistics of Sunbury County. 









Parishes. 








Bliss- 
ville. 


Barton. 


Lincoln. 


Mauger- 
ville. 


Sheffield. 


Totals. 


Inhabitants, 


1,104 


1,480 


695 


649 


1,373 


5,301 


Families, 


171 


219 


118 


116 


2'22 


846 


Children at school, 


78 


95 


109 


83 


191 


555 


School houses, 


3 


5 


3 


4 


9 


24 


Births, 


40 


30 


36 


22 


51 


179 


Deaths, 


13 


13 


11 


7 


30 


74 


Sick and infirm, 


5 


19 


18 


7 


35 


84 


Agriculturists, 


133 


163 


161 


75 


118 


650 


Places of worship, 


2 


5 


2 


2 


4 


15 


Saw mills, 


9 


1 






2 


12 


Grist mills, 


2 


2 


2 




1 


7 


Acres of land cleared, 


3,432 


3,740 


1,591 


2,456 


4,368 


15,587 


Tons of bay, 


2,168 


1,810 


1,645 


1,763 


2,683 


10,069 


Wheat, bushels, 


2,231 


860 


597 


9i8 


955 


5,551 


Barley, " 


223 


555 


112 


80 


3 


973 


Oats, " 


6,183 


7,933 


7,207 


10,290 


8,411 


40,024 


Buckwheat, 


2,560 


4,709 


3,664 


3,688 


7,290 


21,911 


Indian Corn, 


965 


1.805 


520 


971 


2,909 


7,170 


Potatoes, 


22,993 


30,365 


20,233 


15,910 


26,856 


116,357 



By reference to the statistical tables accompanying the description of each county, 
it will be observed that Sunbury, though comparatively small in area, and inferior in 
its quantity of cleared land, raised more Indian corn, in 1851, than Saint John, Al- 
bert, Westmoreland, Northumberland, Victoria and Gloucester, collectively. The 
land along tho Valley of the Saint John is, generally, well calculated for the produc- 
tion of this grain, and if more attention were paid to its culture, a large amount of 
additional food would be produced, 



160 



Comparison. 



Population, ) 

Families, < 

Inhabited houses, < 
Places of worship, < 
Grist mills, < 

Saw mills, < 

Cleared land, 
Horses, 
Neat Cattle, 
Sheep, 
Swine, 



1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 



5,301 

4,260 

846 

636 

770 

573 

15 

8 

7 
6 

12 
15 

15,587 
12,262 

849 
830 
4,475 
3,901 
6,688 
6,681 
1,084 
2,311 



Increase in 


11 years, 


1,041. 


ft 


i< 


210. 


(( 


(C 


197 


tt 


tt 


7 


tt 


n 


1 


Decrease 


<( 


3 


Increase 


it 


3,325 


tt 


tt 


19 


a 


a 


574. 


tt 


it 


7. 


Decrease 


tt 


1,227 



COUNTY OF YORK. 

Boundaries. — "York, south-easterly by Sunbury, south-westerly by 
Charlotte, and the State of Maine ; north easterly by the line run north 
fifty-six degrees and thirty minutes west by Deputy Price, in the year 1841, 
from the north-west angle of Westmoreland, and the line run north six de- 
grees forty minutes west by Deputy Scully, in " 1832," from the south- 
west Miramichi river, near Boiesiown, and its southerly and northly pro- 
longations ; and north-westerly by the line run true east by Deputy Jouett, 
in the year "1847," from the Monument by Eel river, and the line run 
north forty-seven degrees twenty minutes east, by Deputy Jouett, in the 
year " 1847," from the river Saint John, at the upper line of the lower half 
of Lot number twenty-eight, granted to Matthew Philips, and its north- 
easterly prolongation." 

General Description. — There is contained within the limits above des- 
cribed, an area of 2,201,600 acres of land, (larger than the whole colony 
of Prince Edward Island,) 1,230,686 acres are still vacant; consequently 
there are 970,914 acres granted, out of which 70,000 are cleared; leaving 
a balance of 980,914 acres of the portion granted, but not improved. 

In 1851, it contained a population of 17,628 persons, and by this time 
it has probably reached 20,000. It is intersected by the river Saint John, 
and traversed by numerous branches of that river. 

The Nashwaak, an important tributory of the Saint John, falls into it, 
from the eastward, a short distance below Fredericton. The Keswick river, 
at the mouth of which the effects of the ocean tides are felt, the Mactaquack 
stream, and the Narkawikah river also join the Saint John from the same 
direction above that city. These and other streams, together with the South 
West Miramichi, and its tributories, water this section of the county. The 
south-west side of the river, in addition to the numerous small streams fall* 



161 

ing into the Saint John, is watered by the tributary streams emptying them- 
»tj] res into the chain of lakes at the head of the St. Croix, and forming the 
boundary of Maine. 

The character of the soil of this county to many parts is highly calcu- 
lated for agricultural operations, especially the district known as the Har- 
vey Settlement, and a large portion of the Company's lands. There are 
excellent tracts af land of an alluvial nature along the margins of many of 
the streams, as well as on the meanderings of the main river. Still there 
is, as must be expected, a large extent of comparatively poor land. The 
settlement of this section of the Province having been preceded by the ope- 
rations of the lumberman, in whose track fire is most likely to follow, it 
has suffered severely from the ravages of this devouring element. About 
the time of the great fire, as it was called, in Miramichi, a large portion of 
it was burnt, and its soil was rendered almost useless for a long time to come, 
besides the destruction of a vast extent of valuable forest timber. York 
has long supplied the markets of Europe with great quantities of lumber 
and squared timber, as indeed it still continues to do to some extent, al- 
though recently the attention of its population has, by the aid of agricul- 
tural societies, been turned to farming pursuits. 

Settlements extend up both sides of the river Saint John, and into the 
interior, on the east side in the direction of Miramichi, as well as towards 
St. Andrew's, by way of the Harvey Settlement ; the principal of which, 
besides those on the Saint John, are Maryland, Stanley. Tay, Campbell, 
Cardigan, Bird, Hammond Hanville and Harvey Settlements. 

The chief articles manufactured are boots and shoes, leather, candles, ca- 
binet works, &c., soap, fish, hats, iron castings, lime, grindstones, and ma- 
ple sugar, valued in 1851 at <£22 ; 628 currency. 

The county of York made more butter, in 1851, than any county in the 
Province, except King's, the amount being 447,393 pounds, which was 
125.060 lbs. more than Westmoreland, where are the most extensive marshes 
to be found in North America, and although the latter county exceeds it in 
the growth of hay by 6,607 tons; the population of these two counties be- 
ing nearly the same. The only reason we can assign for the inequality that 
exists in the quantities of agricultural produce, is the proximity of the farm 
population of York to a market, and the remoteness of Westmorland, de- 
priving its farmers of the advantage accruing to these who are situate near 
large towns. 

This county contains ten parishes, viz : the City of Fredericton, the head 
quarters both of the county and Province, Douglas, Dumfires, Kingsclere, 
New Maryland, Prince William, Queensbury, St. Mary's, Southampton, 
and Stanley ; the htter place is the principal village in the Nova Scotia 
and New Brunswick Land Company's territory. 

Education. — There are 83 parish school districts in the county, in fifty- 
seven of which public schools, and four private schools, are taught. These 
schools were attended, in 1853, by 2,659 scholars, being an advance of 
1,020 over the number in 1851. This is a very legitimate increase in two 
years, and if it were extended to every county in the Province in propor- 
tion to their respective populations, the total increase over 1851 wouid, in 
1854, be more than 10,000 instead of 5,741. The number that attended 
the grammar schools in i851, was 62. These figures speak well for the 
intellectual advancement of the County. A detailed description of tho li- 
terary institutions will be found under the head of Provincial Education. 
23 



162 

Roads. — The principal base, or main roads, from which numerous bye- 
roads diverge in all directions to the various settlements every where form- 
ing, are : The road from Fredericton to Woodstock, on the south west bank 
of the river St. John, a distance of 62 miles, passing through a well settled 
agricultural district. This section of the county is hilly, and full of deep 
ravines ; in consequence of which and of the numerous streams crossing 
the road, and falling into the main river, its construction and reparations 
involve a heavy cost. It is the route of the mail from Fredericton to the 
upper St. John, and therefore requires to be kept in good repair. 

The road from Fredericton to Woodstock, on the north-east side of the 
river, the principal part of which was formerly the Mail road, passes over 
an undulating country, through numerous thriving settlements, among which 
are Scotch, Coverhill, and Campbell Settlements ; the land on both sides the 
St. John is granted to the extent of several miles from the river, though the 
principal improvements are confined to its margins and those of its tributories. 

The road from Fredericton to Newcastle, on the Miramichi, 106 miles, 
runs along the west branch of the Nashwaak river, principally through a 
settled country, crossing the river near Stanley, on the Company's lands, 
and from thence, via Boiestown, down the Miramichi, near the frontier set- 
tlements of Northumberland ; this is also a mail route. 

The royal road touches the river St. John, on the northeast side nearly oppo- 
site the City of Fredericton, and runs almost direct through the wilderness to 
the Grand Falls within a short distance of the river , a branch of it runs 
northward to Campbelle, a sttlement on the south-west Miramichi, and 
nearly parallel to the post road through Boiestown. From these main roads 
numerous cross roads diverge, thus paving the way for new and more ex- 
tensive settlements. 

There are also many other roads running from Fredericton to different 
parts of the Province ; among which are the road to Carleton, in the county 
of St. John, via the south branch of the Oromocto river ; and the i oad from 
Fredericton to St. Andrew's, 78 miles, passing through the Hanville, Har- 
vey, and other settlements ; this is a good road, offering numerous facilities 
for the advantageous location of emigrants. 

The Rail Road from St. Andrew's to Woodstock, crosses near the south- 
west end of the county, and at a short distance from the State of Maine; 
in its course it intersects the Howard Settlement and its rends. 

Notwithstanding this county has so large an extent of roads, there is still 
a great proportion of its most valuable lands without this means of access, 
the first and most important step to the opening up a new country. 

Races.— This county possesses nearly all the deversity of population pe- 
culiar to the mother country. The Paiish of Kingsclear was originally set- 
tled by New Jersey volunteers ; the Cardigan settlement, on Tay brook, a 
branch of the Nashwaak, is a Welsh settlement ; Stanley is principally 
composed of Highland Scotch; and the Harvey Settlement consists of peo- 
ple from both sides of the common English and Scotch border. The lian- 
well settlement is principally Irish ; there are numerous other settlements 
composed of Scotch, English and Irish; while the inhabitants of the city 
of Fredericton are principally people fiom the mother country, and their 
descendants, interspersed with a goodly sprinkling of Provincials , so that 
no county in the Province possesses a greater diversity of origin, and per- 
haps none, as a whole, can boast of a greater amount of intelligence united 
with affability. 



163 

Minerals. — A part of this county is within what is called the " great 
coal-field of New Brunswick," the boundary of this section of the field 
begins within about five miles of the county of Charlotte, and runs along 
the lower or south east line of the county, keeping an average breadth, to 
the north-west of this line, of fifteen miles, and embracing about one fourth 
of the area of the county of York. Like other parts of this field, coal is 
found to outcrop in various parts of this tract, but little is known as to 
depth or quality ; for, although it has been discovered on the Taybrook, the 
Nashwaak and Oromoeto rivers, and in several other places, yet no proper 
effort has been made to ascertain its extent or nature, much less to work it. 

Limestone exists on the St John river, a short distance above the city 
of Fredericton, and in the Taybrook settlement ; but in neither place has 
much lime been manufactured. 

Grindstones — An excellent quality of grindstone has been discovered on 
the Nashwaak, and its tributaries ; where there are also great water power 
facilities for manufacturing operations. 

There are indications of the existence of Iron ore in several localities 
within the country, but to what extent is not known. 

Shipbuilding and Fishing are not pursued in this country to any de- 
gree worth notice ; although the river is sufficiently navigable for small 
class vessels, and the country around professes abundance of good timber 
for their construction-; while the numerous streams present ample facilities 
for procuring it, still but little is done in the manufacture of ships ; and as 
to the Salmon Fishery, which was the principal carried on, it has been an- 
nihilated in consequence of the unseasonable manner in which the fish have 
been taken. 

Subdivisions. — Five of the ten parishes into which the County of York 
is divided, viz : the City of Fredericton, New Maryland, Kingsclear, Prince 
William, and Dumfries, are situate on the south-west side of the St. John ; 
and they all front on the river except New Maryland, which abuts on the 
rear of the Capital. 

The remaining five parishes lay on the north east side of the main river, 
and are designated as follows : Southampton, situate in the west, fronting 
on the St. John, and opposite Dumfries ; Queensbury is further down also 
fronting on the river, Stanley lies in the rear of the last named parish ; 
Douglas is situate on the river to the eastward of Queensbury, and St. Ma- 
ry's bounds partly on the St. John, in front of Fredericton, and partly on 
the north-east of Douglas. 

The city of Fredericton, formerly called St. Ann's, was constituted the 
head quarters of the Province in 1785, by Sir Guy Carleton, its first gov- 
ernor ; and it has ever since continued to be the capital, the residence of the 
governors, and of the heads of all the principal departments ; here also the 
Legislature, and the Executive- Council, hold their sittings. It is situate at 
the head of sloop navigation, though there are times when vessels of a much 
larger class could navigate this part of the river. It is eighty-four miles 
by the river, and sixty-five miles by the high-road, above the city of Saint 
John,, 

This City stands on a plain protruding into the river, which is here over 
half a mile in width ; \\ is surrounded by a chain of hills, rising in regular 
gradations, the level extending along the margin of the river for about a 
mile and an half, and being, at the widest part, about half a mile in width 
from the river opposite the centre of the f&y. to the hill on which the col- 



164 

lege has been erected. Fredericton was incorporated in 1848, and is now 
lighted with gas; its population in 1840 numbered 4002, and in 1851, it 
contained 4,458, being an increase of only 456 souls in eleven years, while 
the population of Saint John has been augmented by 5,686 persons during 
the same space of time. It has however, suffered very severely by fire at 
various times; in the year 1854 no less than ,£40,000 worth of buildings 
and other property were destroyed by the devouring element. The build- 
ings have, however, been much improved in consequence, many of them 
being now constructed of brick. 

Although this city is the centre of a large agricultural county, the Pro- 
vincial Seat of Government, and the entrepot of the principal part of the 
productions of the Upper St John, besides having enjoyed the advantages 
of being a military station, still it has not kept pace with many other parts of 
the Colony. Looking at all these circumstances, and in addition consider- 
ing the mail steamboat, and telegraphic communications, of which it may 
be said to form the centre for this section of the Province, and that the sur- 
rounding country possesses every requisite for supporting a large population, 
and abounds with the finest timber, close to extensive water communication, 
it seems surprising that it should not have made more rapid progress. All 
that is required, is more energy, enterprize, and capital, to develope the 
latent resources by which it is surrounded, to render it a place of impor- 
tance, and to enable it to rank among the more populous cities of British 
North America. 

On a rising ground near the town stands Kings College, which was es- 
tablished by Royal Charter in 1828. This institution possesses a tract of 
6000 acres of land, and receives an annual endowment of £2000 stg , half 
of which is paid by the Home Government, and the remainder from the 
Provincial revenue. It is a general opinion among the public that this Col- 
lege was erected before it was required by the Province, and that it has not 
done an amount of good proportioned to its annual expenditure. The Gov- 
ernment has instituted some investigations and appointed a special commis- 
sioner with a view to rendering it more practially useful to the public. 
Near this institution, and immediately connected with it, is the Collegiate 
School, which has proved much more comparatively useful. The Baptists 
also possess a Seminary in this city. Both these institutions, although the 
college was at first established in strict connection with the Episcopal Church, 
are not now Denominational, so that students not adhering to the creeds of 
either of these bodies of Christians, may receive an education at either es- 
tablishment. 

The Province Building contains the Legislative Halls, Crown Land, Se- 
cretary, Auditors, and other offices ; but the whole of these buildings would 
not far exceed, if indeed they could equal the King's College, either in cost 
of construction, or in architectural appearance. 

The city is divided, for municipal purposes, into five wards, namely, 
King's, Queen's, St. Ann's, Carleton, and Wellington; each of which an- 
nually elect two councillors, a Mayor, and all other necessary officers are 
elected for the city at large. Its streets are systematically laid out, and of 
good width ; and the town contains the Court House, Jail, Post Office, te- 
legraph station, probate and other county offices, also an Episcopal Cathe- 
dral and Bishop's residence, two Episcopal and Presbyterian, Methodist, 
Baptist, and Roman Catholic Churches. There are also a Town Hall, Mar- 
ket House, Bank, Gas-works, Foundry, and three steam saw-mills. The 



165 

inhabitants have formed various useful societies and institutions, including 
Agricultural, Horticultural, and Flouricultural societies, also Bible, Church 
Missionary, Temperance, St. George's, St. Andrew's, and St. Patrick's So- 
cieties, a Fire Insurance Company, and a branch society for the propaga- 
tion of the Gospel. The County has the usual Bench of Magistrates, She- 
riffs' Court, &c. 

Fredericton has hitherto been the head quarters of the British troops sta- 
tioned in this Province, and contains, near the margin of the river, barracks 
for both officers and privates with spacious squares in their front — the latter 
are capable of accommodating about one thousand men, though there have 
lately been only one hundred and fifty stationed there, and these are now 
nearly all withdrawn. The artillery barracks, also spacious and convenient, 
are in the rear ot the city 

The situation of Fredericton, on the western bank of the river Saint 
John, which winds its way past its streets and numerous handsome edifices, 
and ornamented towards the west by the residence of the Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor, is one of the most beautiful in the Province ; nor is the surrounding 
scenery less worthy of notice ; the whole must, exclusive of its being the 
nominal capital, and the seat of government, be looked on with deep inter- 
est both by the settler and occasional tourist. 

Description of Toivnships. — The townships lying on the north-east 
side of the St, John river, Douglas, Queensbury, St. Mary's, Southampton, 
and Stanley, are nearly all granted. The New Brunswick and Nova Sco- 
tia Land Company, which was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1834, hold 
a large extent of land in this section of the county, which was granted to 
them by the Imperial Government, before the wild lands were given up to 
the management of the Provincial Legislature ; its capital is £100,000, with 
power to increase it to £400,000. This tract extends from the river Saint 
John to the southwest branch of the Miramichi, and embraces the principal set- 
tlements along the Nashwaak, with the exception of the Cardigan settlement, 
running through the centre of the county, and leaving a strip of land border- 
ing on Sunbury, and another indirect tract bounding on the southeast line of 
Carleton and Victoria. The town of Stanley, the head quarters of this Compa- 
ny's operations, lies on the post road from Fredericton to Miramichi, by way of 
Boistown, whichis settled for the greater part of the distance. Stanley contains 
a place of worship, school-house, and saw and grist mills, and both professional 
men and mechanics are among its residents, good roads extend from it to all 
the surrounding settlements. There are large tracts of excellent soil along 
the valley of the Nashwaak and its affluents, on which an extensive and 
flourishing line of settlements has been formed by the efforts of the land 
company ; notwithstanding this, however, and the numerous settlements on 
the eastern side of the St. John, there is ample room, between the Compa- 
ny's lands and Carleton, for the introduction of a colony of emigrants on 
lands of good quality. If roads were opened, at proper distances, through 
this section of the county, from the Nashwaak and south-west branch of 
the Miramichi, till they intersected the river St. John, between Woodstock 
and the Grand Falls, not only would a vast region of good land be opened 
for settlement, but a proper system might easily be observed in its location. 

The Company possess large tracts of good land still unoccupied, and new 
roads are projected through it which will afford excellent facilities for fur- 
ther settlement. If this fact alone were known and properly appreciated 
by the thousands who annually leave their father land to seek a home on 



166 

the American continent, they would surely avail themselves of the oppor- 
tunities here afforded to them, instead of flooding the cities, many of which 
are already over populated, of the American Union. 

The following communication from Lieutenant- Colonel Richard Hayne, 
the Company's Commissioner at Stanley, which we give in full, will shew, 
to some extent, the operations of the Company : 

" The New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Land Company, 
(Incorporated by Royal Charter.) 

The tract of land purchased from the Crown, by the New Brunswick and 
Nova Scotia Land Company, consists of 550,000 acres, situated in the 
county of York in the centre of the Province, and lying between the Saint 
John and Miramichi rivers. The tract consists generally of land of a su- 
perior description, a great portion of it being of the finest land in the Pro- 
vince, and it is also well watered by the rivers Nashwaak, Taxis or Tauk, 
Keswick, Mactaquash and Nuakawicae, in addition to the Southwest Mira- 
michi river ; all of which flow through the greatest part of the territory, 
affording numerous advantageous sites for mills and pasture, as well as being 
of essential service to both the lumberer and agriculturist. 

The New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Land Company's lands are dis- 
posed of at the rate of four shillings and six-pence per acre, in lots of one 
hundred acres, or more, as may be agreed on ; and either sold for cash 
when a liberal discount is made, or on credit, a number of years, eleven 
being allowed to pay up the purchase money by annual instalments. 

The first settlement formed by the Company was the village of Stanley, 
twenty-five miles from Fredericton, situate on the Nashwaak river; and 
many of the settlers there are now in a prosperous condition. 

There is a good road to Stanley, to keep up which, and the other roads 
intersecting the Company's lands, annual grants have been made by the 
Government and the Company. 

A new settlement, formed in 1852, on the Naukawicae river, has pro- 
gressed very rapidly ; there being an excellent tract of land in that neigh- 
borhood which is rapidly locating ; and as a new road, running north-wes- 
terly, has recently been laid out, which will intersect the Company's north- 
western boundary, and connect there with a new road and settlement, also 
recently laid out by the Government, the road through which extends to 
Woodstock ; and which will make the whole distance from Fredericton to 
Woodstock, about fifteen miles shorter than the present post road, a new and 
great inducement is thus offered to intending settlers, who would have the 
advantage of locating themselves upon a thorough road, upon which there 
would be a through traffic betwixt the capital and Woodstock, and the up- 
per St. John. 

As the best proof of the fertility of the soil in this tract of country, the 
following extract from the York county agricultural report is offered : — 

Weight of grain in the following parishes : 





Wheat. Oats. 


Buckwheat. 


Peas. 


Beans. 


Stanley 


66 (bush) 50 


53 


6Q 




Southampton 


65 51 


52i 


66 


65 


Douglas 


72J 59J 


66 


75J 


su 


St. Mary's 


53 43 


53 


63 




Queensbury 


69 42£ 


52 


67 


70 



And the general average, for the county of York, of weights are : 



3,600 acres. 


250 


a 


120 


a 


400 


a 


200 


a 


250 


a 


250 


a 


400 


u 


550 


u 


530 


a 


100 


a 



167 

Wheat 63 Oats 38 Buckwheat SI and for the whole Province 
" 60 " 38 C£ 48 

(Extracted from Professor Johnston's Report.) 
And the general average produced per acre for New Brunswick": 

"Wheat. Barley. Oats. Buckwheat. Potatoes. 

17| 27 33 28 204 

The following table exhibits the quantity of land cleared and in cultiva- 
tion in the different settlements on the tract of the New Brunswick and 
Nova Scotia Land Company : 

Stanley, including the Cross Creek and Red Rock, 
Tay and Cardigan 
Nashwaus 
Royal Road 
Bird Settlement 
Lower Keswick 

Upper do. or New Zealand 
Magneville 
Springfield 

South-west Miramichi 
Detached Settlements 
Coal is found on the Taxis and Keswich. 
(Signed) 

R. Hayne, Commissioner 
N. B. & N. S. Land Company. 

On the south-west side of the river, a large proportion of the parish of 
New Maryland is granted, though not much improved ; still there are some 
tracts of ordinary quality yet ungranted lying between the settlements al- 
ready formed and Charlotte county. 

The parishes of Kingsclear and Prince William are watered by both 
branches of the Oromocto, and the lakes at the head of the north-west 
branch ; also by the Magaguadavie and its affluents, as well by the lake from 
which it takes its rise ; there are numerous, and in some places continuous 
settlements along the borders of these rivers and lakes. Salmon and gas- 
pereaux formerly ascended to the Oromocto Lakes, but their access is now 
prevented by mill dams. 

The road from Fredericton to St. Andrew's passes through the Hanville, 
Cork, Harvey, and other settlements ; thus forming an almost continuous 
line of improvements for the whole distance. The land at Harville settle- 
ment is stony while that of Harvey is good arable land. There is also a 
tract of good quality extending along the west side of the Magaguadavie to 
the lake at its source, where some scattered improvements have been made. 
From this lake to the Chipitnecticook lakes, at the boundary of Maine, the 
land is poor, as is also the principal part of the tract lying between the set- 
tlements on the St. Andrew's road, and the boundaries of Charlotte and 
Sunbury. There are some settlements on the Pokeope stream, where there 
is also an establishment of mills, and other improvements. This river, on 
its way from Lake George to the St. John, runs through a rocky gorge, not 
more in some places than thirty feet in width, and about seventy feet 
deep. 

The thriving character of the Harvey settlement, at the location of which 
the writer assisted in 1837, evidently shows that when perseverance, energy, 



168 

and well directed intelligence are brought to bear on the soils of this country 
not only may a competency be obtained, but the old adage will certainly be 
fulfilled, " the hand of the diligent maketh rich." 

Dumfries is the only remaining parish to be noticed; the principal set- 
tlements are those of Magundy and Howard ; the latter is situate in the 
centre of a large tract of excellent land which lies between Eel river and 
the Shogomoc, both affluents of the Saint John. This parish contains more 
good land, fit for settlement, and still ungranted, than either of the others 
on this side of the Saint John. The St. Andrew's Railway, in its course 
to Woodstock, will open a large portion, about thirty miles, for settlement 
in Prince William and Dumfries ; and the land' to the extent of fiv? miles 
on each side belongs to the company thus including an area of 190,000 
acres in this county. This extensive tract together with that possessed by 
the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Land Company, on the opposite side 
of the Saint John, leave only a few fragmentary blocks, exclusive of other 
grants, at the disposal of the Government ; so that if the Company princi- 
pal of settling the wild lands of the Province be superior to that adopted by 
the Government, this County will possess a decided advantage, or, at all 
events, present a fair field for its trial. 

If Railways passing through good land, forests of valuable timber, and 
latent mineral resources, tend, by their cheap, safe, and speedy mode of 
transit, to develope these capabilities, a fact which we have no reason to 
doubt, but which the experience of every other country gives us every rea- 
son to believe, the county of York must indeed at no distant period, assume 
a new phase. And as the improvements in the channel of the St. John, 
from its mouth to Woodstock, now under the direction of the Government, 
are effected, their good effects are felt by all interested in the navigation of 
the river. These improvements, by removing the sunken rocks and sandbars, 
and thus allowing the admission and more frequent passage of steam boats 
and other vessels of a larger class, cannot fail to have a most beneficial ef- 
fect on the trade of the surrounding country. 



169 



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170 



Comparison, 



Population, 
Families, 
Inhabited houses, 
Places of worship, 
Saw mills, 
Grist mills, 
Cleared land, 
Horses, j : 
Neat cattle, "; 
Sheep, 
Swine, 



\ 


1851, 


17,628 


1840, 


13,995 


\ 


1851, 


2,930 


1840, 


2,294 


\ 


1851, 


2,602 


1840, 


2,005 


< 


1851, 


45 


\ 


1840, 


30 


i 


1851, 


35 


1840, 


31 


\ 


1851, 


31 


1840, 


22 


\ 


1851, 


69,107 


1840, 


44,818 


i 


1851, 


2,440 


1840, 


2,037 


i 


1851, 


11,594 


1840, 


7,445 


5 


1851, 


16,734 


I 


1840, 


15,077 


5 


1851, 


3,872 


I 


1840, 


6,415 



i Increase in 11 years, 3,633. 

I " " 636. 

= 597. 

" 15. 

" " 4. 

" " 9. 

'S 24,199. 

403. 

" " 4,M9. 

1,657. 

Decrease [" 2,543. 



COUNTY OF CARLETON. 

Boundaries. — u Carleton, southerly and easterly by York ; westerly by 
the State of Maine, and northerly by the river De Chutes, and a line running 
true east from the mouth thereof/' 

General Description. — This county, previous to the year 1844. included 
the whole tract northward to the Canadian boundary, which was then con- 
stituted a separate county, under the name of " Victoria." The above brief 
description comprises 700,000 acres, exclusive of water, 284.198 of which 
are vacant. Out of the 465,802 acres granted, there are, by the last census, 
55,537 improved ; leaving 644 468 acres in a wilderness state. It contain- 
ed, in 1851, a population of 11,108, and was, at that time, divided into 
seven parishes, viz : Woodstock, the chief town, Northampton, Brighton, 
Kent, Wicklow, Simond's, and Wakefield. In 1853, the parish of Rich- 
mond was erected out of that of Woodstock. There is a bench of thirty- 
one magistrates. 

The river Saint John, the navigation of which is being much improved, 
traverses this county diagonally, receiving, in its way, numerous smaller 
streams, commencing with Eel river, whose serpentine course forms the 
lower boundary of the county. This river is about thirty-five miles long, 
and takes its rise in a lake ten miles in length, which is said to be only about 
three miles distant from the most northerly lake on the Chepitnectcook 
chain, communicating with the St Croix river. There are fine tracts of 
good lard along the Eel river, and it is navigable for boats from its source 
downwards, except at its entrance into the Saint John, where, in conse- 
quence of rapids, it becomes necessary to resort to the upland. 

The iMeduxnakig river takes its rise in the State of Maine, and is navi- 
gable for boats and rafts of timber for upwards of eighteen miles. It forms 
a water communication from Houlton, a small town and military post, with- 



171 

in the American boundary, and about twelve miles from Woodstock. In 
its descent to the Saint John, it passes through a valuable tract of good 
land. At its mouth is situate the town of Woodstock, which contains an 
extensive milling establishment. 

The only other streams worthy of notice within the limits of the county, 
on the we3t side of the Saint John, are Little Presq'isle, an inconsiderable 
rivulet, and Presq'isle river, which is a rapidly flowing stream, hardly na- 
vigable for boats ; it rises in the State of Maine, to the westward of Mars' 
Hill. This Hill, which has attained some notoriety in the negotiations pre- 
vious to the Ashburton Treatj, stands on the boundary line between New 
Brunswick and Maine, and about five miles to the westward of the Saint 
John, below the river Des Chutes. It is said to be 1688 feet high ; and 
on its top, about six acres of land were cleared, and an observatory erected, 
by order of the commissioners, under the treaty of 1794. This building, 
having been allowed to become dilapidated, was re-built by the engineers 
employed to explore a line of railway from St. Andrew's to Quebec • but 
the new erection has since shared the fate of its predecessor. 

The river Des Chutes, which takes its rise in Maine, is a small river, 
whose navigation is much impeded by rapids ; these are, however, being gradu- 
ally worn by the operation of the frost, and the action of the current ; excellent 
facilities are here afforded for saw-mills. This river forms the upper boun- 
dary of the county on the west side of the Saint John. The five parishes 
on this bank of the river consist, as a whole, of good land, and the settle- 
ments, on the main river are almost continuous ; they extend westerly along 
the minor streams and roads for some distance towards Maine ; and in some 
places are connected with those of their American neighbors. The land in 
these parishes is almost all granted, and although they form the smallest 
portion of the county, yet they contain upwards of 40.000 acres of cleared 
land, while that on the opposite side does not much exceed 17,000. The 
proximity of this district to the settlements in the United States, together 
with the circumstance that since the settlement of the boundary question 
by the Ashburton Treaty, the inhabitants on both sides live in perfect ami- 
ty, affords numerous facilities to the trade and industry, which will, no doubt, 
be greatly enhanced by the Reciprocity Treaty, now concluded between the 
two countries. 

There is a range of high hills, extending from Mars Hill, in a north- 
easterly direction, towards the Bay of Chaleur, known by the name of the 
Tobique Mountains ; and which is a branch of the Alleghany mountains 
running through the United States. There are several lofty eminences on 
this chain within the Province limits of considerable magnitude, the princi- 
pal of which besides Mars Hill, are Moose Mountain, Bear Mountain, and 
Blue Mountain ; although these from their appearance seem to deserve the 
name of mountains, yet they generally rise in gentle grade 3 and with gradu- 
al acclevities, and may for the most part be cultivated on their sides for pas- 
turage, as well as for grain, and other agricultural productions. 

The streams on the opposite side of the river are neither numerous nor 
extensive ; nearly opposite the Little Presq'isle, is the village of Wake- 
field ; and in the parish of Brighton there is a small river called the Peca- 
quimac, on which are both intervale and upland of good quality ; at its 
inouth some mills are established. A little further up and on the same side 
of the river, two small streams enter it, known as the Shuhtakauk and 
Monqpiart j tk& jaoafch of tk© % iaer being itweatj .nules eto.va Wo&lftf&Gk, 



172 

which take their rise at the foot of the mountains, before mentioned, and 
partly in the direction of the north branch of the south-west Miramichi. In 
this vicinity some extensive tracts of good land are to be found. The settle- 
ments on this side of the Saint John are principally confined tc the river's bank, 
although in some places they are extending bc;ckv;ards. In consequence of the 
erection of mill-dams, and of other obstructions across these tributory streams, 
fish are not allowed to enter them : and the county is therefore, in a great 
measure, deprived of that valuable fishery, the salmon. 

The town of Woodstock, the head quarters of the County, is beautifully 
situate on the west branch of the Saint John, and is divided by the Medun- 
nakik river, over the mcuth of which a bridge is erected. It is sixty-two 
miles from Fredericton, and 127 from Saint John, by the post road, and is 
71 miles below the Grand Falls. In 1840, the town and parish contained 
3,186 inhabitants, and 4,272 in 1851 ; it has progressed much faster since 
the last census was taken ; but less than 40 years ago this place, with its 
numerous surrounding settlements was a dense wilderness, where the only 
sounds that could be heard were the voices of wild beasts and the mumur- 
ings of the waterfalls. Now the wild animals are almost exterminated ; 
the forest is giving place, before the exertions of industry and perseverance 
to cultivated fields ; while the very beds of the rivers have not only been 
deepened, but in many places have changed their direction ; thus indicating 
surely that while man has been moving onwards in the scale of improvement, 
nature has been improving a way for his transit and intercourse. From this 
cause along with the improvements by Government, small streams are now 
periodically enabled to follow the windings of this fine river, not only to this 
spot, nearly 150 miles from the sea, but even to ascend to the Grand Falls 
upwards of 70 miles further, and, at intervals, even above the latter point. 
This Town contains all the public buildings of the County, a Court House, 
Telegraph office, Gaol, Register office, Probate Court, Bank, Printing office, 
and Grammar School; together with places of worship belonging to the 
Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Roman Catholics ; these, with 
some other public and many private edifices, present a very neat appearance. 
It is the centre of trade for a large extent of country ; lumbering has been, 
and still is largely carried on in the surrounding country, both on the Bri- 
tish and American sides of the line ; and the whole of the timber has to 
pass this place on its way to market. The Iron Works, noticed in a previ- 
ous chapter, and which are only a short distance above the town, have given 
employment to a large number of hands. These sources of trade added to 
the other improvements that have taken place within the American border, 
and in the County itself, have done much to the advancement of the town. 
Several villages are also springing up in many of the other parishes. 

Agriculture. — This little county, though remote from the maritime fron- 
tier of the Province, is nevertheless not far behind the most favored or lar- 
gest settled county in the scale of agriculture. It exceeds any county in 
the Province, except York, in the growth of Indian Corn ; and nine, in that 
of wheat, it is superior to all in the production of oats, and to all except 
Kings in that of buckwheat, and its stands high in the scale as regards other 
agricultural productions and farming stock. 

Ship-budding, for the want of a sufficient depth of water, cannot be car- 
ried on here, though the forest abounds with timber of the best quality, of 
dimensions the most suitable for this purpose, and with every facility for its 
being easily procured. Indeed when the supply of this material fails on 



173 

the lower part of the Saint John, a reserve "will be found here to last the 
New Brunswick ship-builders for a long time. 

Roads.— In addition to the Railroad, which will shorten the distance to 
' the seaboard and which is now fast progressing to a conclusion between St. 
Andrew's and Woodstock, with a probability of its ultimate extension to 
Quebec, this county is intersected, particularly on the west side of the St. 
John, by numerous great and bye roads, the principal of which we will 
proceed to enumerate. 

The road from the lower part of the County at Eel Kiver to Oak Bay, 
near St. Andrew's, seventy-four miles, intersecting the counties of York 
and Charlotte, is now nearly passable for wheel carriages , this road will 
aiford to the inhabitants of Woodstock and the Upper Saint John, a com- 
munication with the Bay of Fundy, shorter by forty miles than that by way 
of Fredericton ; hence it will become a most important road to the localities 
at its extremities, as well as to the intermediate settlements. 

The road from Fredericton to Woodstock, on which the mail passes three 
times a week, is a good road running through a settled country. 

The road from Woodstock to Houlton, in the State of Maine, a distance 
of twelve miles, passes through a good agricultural district of an undulating 
character. 

The road from Woodstock to the river Des Chutes, the upper boundary of 
the county, a distance of thirty-eight miles, passes along the right bank of 
the Saint John, on its way to the Grand Falls, and traverses one of the 
most productivo and best agricultural districts in the Province. 

A new line of road has been explored, intended to run nearly direct from 
Woodstock to an intersection of the last named road at its upper termina- 
tion, passing through the back settlements, which, when completed, will shor- 
ten the mail route, and facilitate the improvement of the back land. 

The whole extent of this county is very hilly and broken, and intersected 
by several heavy streams, thus presenting many engineering difficulties to 
the construction of roads ; still the bye-roads are numerous, extending to 
every settlement on both sides of the Saint John. 

If a road were made from Woodstock to Bciestown on the south-west 
branch of the Miramichi, a distance of about sixty miles, not only would 
trade be improved by it, but a tract of excellent land would be opened for 
settlement. 

If individuals, or groups of settlers, should be desirous of locating them- 
selves in this section of the Province, it will be only requisite for them to 
make their wishes known, in order to find good land to any required ex- 
tent. 

Minerals. — We are not aware of the discovery of any coal in this coun- 
ty , the town of Woodstock is about fifty miles to the west of the New 
Brunswick coal field, as geologically defined by Dr. Gesner and others. But 
the County is as celebrated for its inexhaustable stores of iron ore, which 
have been already noticed, as for the fertility of the soil, and its beautiful 
growth of timber. The vein of iron stone is said to be seventy feet in thick- 
ness, and in 1851, 770 tons were smelted at the Work. 

Lime is found in great abundance at the mouth of Presq'isle, and Des 

Chutes rivers; in 1851, 840 casks were burnt. Recently a valuable seam 

of copper ore has been discovered about six miles above Woodstock, for the 

working of which a Company is now incorporated. 

What additions may be made to pur geological knowledge of New 



174 

Brunswick by further explorations, more especially, in its northern districts, 
is of course uncertain. Those counties have not as yet attracted the atten- 
tion or been favored with the visits of scientific men, as have the sea girt 
and maritime portions of the Province. 



1001. — roput 


anon c 


ma ou 


wr &ia 


nsucs 


OJ Ofl 


newn 


lyounv 


/• 




Parishes. 


Brigh- 
ton. 


Kent. 


North- 
amp- 
ton. 


Si- 

mond's 


Wake- 
field. 


Wick- 
ham. 


Wood- 
stock. 


Totals. 


Inhabitants, 


1,513 


627 


605 


; i.ii9 


1,854 


1,118 


4,272 


11,108 


Families, 


227 


97 


101 


'167 


'277 


162 


525 


1,556 


Children at school, 


108 


38 


20 


129 


223 


120 


535 


1,215 


School houses, 


5 


3 


1 


6 


9 


8 


24 


56 


Places of worship, 


5 


2 




2 


4 


3 


9 


25 


Births, 


78 


28 


15 


47 


67 


36 


96 


367 


Deaths, 


13 


4 


3 


10 


17 


8 


27 


82 


Sick and infirm, 


119 


46 


2 


3 


66 


2 


29 


267 


Agriculturists, 


200 


93 


78 


213 


244 


165 


340 


1,333 


Saw mills, 


2 




2 


1 


1 


2 


4 


12 


Grist mills, 


3 


1 


2 


2 


1 


2 


13 


Acres of land cleared, 


10,558 


2,502 


3,485 


5,744 


11,402 


5,553 


16,293 


55.537 


Tons of hay, 


2,072 


850 


1,360 


1.231 


3,103 


1,339 


5,763 


15.718 


Bushels of wheat, 


1,761 


474 


1,815 


1,924 


5,803 


1,592 


7,796 


21,165 


" barley, 


1512 


370 


306 


954 


2,113 


517 


2.740 


8,512 


" oats, 


31,094 


11,640 


11,300 


24,861 


56,689 


24,473 74,571 


234,628 


" buckwheat. 


28,695 


10,191 


4,151 


11,606 


28,407 


19,000 


29,432 


131,482 


" Indian corn, 


3,943 


784 


1,868 


1,074 


1,471 


923 


4,587 


14,650 


" potatoes, 


16,879 


10,956 


5.877 


23,255 


43,854 


23,975 


49,620 


174,416 


" turnips, 
















73,506 


Horses and cows, 
















13,910 


Sheep and swine, 
















17,454 



In consequence of the unsettled state of the boundary between New 
Brunswick and the United States, at the time when the census of 1840 was 
taken, and as a large tract of territory was included in those returns, which 
was excluded from those of 1851 ; and inasmuch, also, as this county then em- 
braced within its limits a considerable part of the present county of Victo- 
ria, we cannot arrive at any correct view of the then statistics of these two 
counties, and shall therefore omit the usual table of comparison, with re- 
gard to population, &c, in both. 

COUNTY OF VICTORIA. 

Boundaries. — u Victoria, southerly and westerly by Carleton, and the 
State of Maine ; northerly by the Province of Canada ; and easterly by 
York, and the northerly prolongation of the line run north six degrees and 
forty minutes west, by Deputy Sculley, in the year 1832, from the south- 
west Miramichi river, near Boiestown, until it intersects the westerly pro- 
longation of the south line of lot numbered one, in the grant to Simon Ar- 
seneau and associates, near the Little Nipisiquit ; thence by a line running 
north forty-five degrees west, until it strikes tha Province of C&oada." 



175 

General Description. — The county of Victoria now embraces an area 
of 2,872,000 acres of land, of which 845,600 acres are granted ; and by 
the census of 1851, 26,834 only of this quantity were improved, leaving, 
in the whole, 2,845,166 acres in a state of nature ; an area large enough 
for three counties, in place of the one of which we are now treating. 

In 1851, it contained a population of 5,408 persons, and a bench of twen- 
ty-one magistrates. At this time, being the date of the census, the county 
comprised six parishes, viz : Andover, including all the tract on the west 
side of the Saint John, and which then embraced a large extent on the east 
side of the river, subsequently, by Act 15 Vic, c. 35, erected into a new 
parish, called Grand Falls, now made the county town ; Perth, St. Leo- 
nard's, St. Basil, Madawaska, and St. Francis ; making, at the present 
time, seven in the whole. At the Grand Falls, where the town has been 
named Colebrooke, the public buildings are located, and this place is likely 
to rise to some importance as the head quarters of the county, but more es- 
pecially as the trade of the upper Saint John, both American and English, 
must pass this way ; and to this will be added the attraction of " the falls," 
a spectacle which cannot fail to draw the attention of all the admirers of the 
grand operations of nature. 

Rivers and Streams. —In ascending the Saint John, from the river Des 
Chutes, the first stream of any note, after passing an inconsiderable rivulet 
called the Muniae, is the Tobique, which is the largest tributory to the St. 
John, except the Aroostook. This rirer, the navigation of which, at the 
Red Rapids, is being improved, and at the mouth of which is an Indian 
village, has its embouchure about twenty miles below the Grand Falls, and 
two miles below that of the Aroostook. It flows from the northeast in the 
direction of the Bay of Chaleur, and has a course of about 100 miles, min- 
gle its sources with those of the Upsalquitite river, falling into the Resti- 
gouche, and with these of the Nepissiquit, which enters the Bay of Cha- 
leur. through the harbor of Bathurst. About seventy miles from its dis- 
charge, its course is divided into two branches — the Little Tobique and 
Campbell's River. In its passage, it receives a great number of tributory 
streams, the principal of which are "Wapshegan and Gulgerae rivers. The 
branch called Campbell's river take its rise to the eastward, in four lakes, 
the largest of which is about ten miles in length, the feeders to which are 
said to have their sources only about one mile from those of the little south- 
west branch of the Miramichi. The tract of land between the Tobique and 
Grand River is considered one of the best in the Province, offering greater 
facilities for emigration and settlement on an extensive scale, than 
any other. Besides this, and taking the head of the Tobique as a centre, 
New Brunswick owns a tract of almost unbroken wilderness, extending 
westerly towards Canada for seventy miles, and easterly towards Miramichi 
for fifty miles, With an average breadth of seventy miles, embracing an area 
of over five millions of acres. If we allow that three millions are fit for 
cultivation, there will be room for 30,000 farms, of 100 acres each. So 
far as explorations have hitherto been made, as to the agricultural capabili- 
ties of this extensive region, which have been merely casual and desultory, 
it has been found, we must admit, that there is a vast extent of poor, bar- 
ren and swampy land ; yet it is equally well known that those parts most 
advantageously situate for settlement, namely, the chief part of the lands 
bordering on the Saint John, the upper Miramichi, and their numerous tri- 
butaries, as well as on the Restigouche, and the vast net-work of streams 



176 

discharging into the Bay of Chalcur, is highly calculated for farming pur- 
suits, and will, at no distant day, be converted from a mere wilderness to 
the gai den of the Province. 

Tne Aroostook takes its rise among a number of lakis near the head of 
the Penobscot, in the State of Maine. It is said to be navigable for canoes 
and rafts, for one hundred miles. This extensive stream, excepting only for 
five miles above its confluence with the Saint John, with its numerous tri- 
butories and deposits of iron ore, together with a large region of valuable 
country, was taken from New Brunswick, its rightful and equitatb owner, 
and transferred to the United States, by the memorable Ashourton Treaty. 
On the American side of the boundary line, near its intersection of the 
Aroostook, is a small town, called Fort Fairfield ; between which and the 
Saint John, the river runs through a narrow rocky gorge, full of danger- 
ous rapids and lofty falls, not only rendering the navigation very precarious, 
but even obstructing the passage of fish, which seldom ascend the Saint 
John beyond the mouth of this river. It enters the Saint John about two 
miles above the Tobique. The valley watered by it, although once repre- 
sented, by interested negotiators, as barren and worthless, is now justly 
celebrated in the State of Maine for its timber and the excellent quality of 
its soil. 

Between the Aroostook and the Grand Falls, and fifteen miles above the 
former, two small rivers flow from the r.^rthward, Little and Salmon river3; 
the latter is the largest, and has its confluence with the Saint John about 
eight miles below the Falls ; there are some fine tracts of good land on its 
banks, but little of which is yet granted. 

The most notable spot on the whole course of the Saint John is the Grand 
Falls, which are situate on a bend in the river similar to the Bend of the 
Petiticoudiac in Westmoreland. This point is 198 miles, by the mail route, 
from the city of Saint John ; for this distance the river flows at the rate of 
from six to eight miles an hour and is navigable for light steamers. Above 
the Falls vessels of the same description can penetrate about forty miles. 

The river after receiving in its upper course the waters of many spacious 
lakes and tributory streams extending almost to the St. Lawrence, and the 
heads of the Connecticut, discharges its accumulated flood, over a precipice 
of rock with a perpendicular fall of nearly sixty feet, into a rocky gorge 
not more than 250 feet in width, with overhanging mural sides, in 
some places of the height of 240 feet and above three quarters of a mile 
in length. In passing through this rocky vault the water has a further des- 
cent of nearly sixty feet, making the whole fall from the basin above, to that 
below, about one hundred and twenty feet. 

The gorge below the Falls extending for a distance of half a mile into 
the lower basin, is truly magnificent. This was formerly a favorite camp- 
ing ground for the red men of the forest, numbers of arrows and stone 
hatchets having been found in the vicinity : and a fit abode it seems for the 
Great Spirit, which they worshipped, ere the light of civilization dawned 
upon them. 

Above this point steamers have navigated as far as the river St. Francis 
about 65 miles, making a distance of waters navigable for steam boats of 
280 miles ; add the distance to which scows are taken for lumber purposes, 
75 miles, and 90 miles further that canoes and fairogues can navigate ; and 
we have the extent of the navigable waters of this magnificent river — say 
445 miles. 



xn 



To return to the falls— between the upper and lower basin there is a por- 
tage along which the trade of the upper St. John must pass, as nothing, even 
logs of timber, can pass the Falls, without being much injured. 

A railway is now in course of construction for this short space, a little 
over half a mile, which, when completed, will prove a great boon to this 
section of the Province, and greatly facilitate the intercourse with the upper 
St. John. In fact, the whole commerce of the county, whether British, . 
Canadian or American, will pass this way. 

Near the mouth of the Madawaska river are the little falls, which again 
interrupt the navigation. 

Along the banks of this river for the whole distance the land is excellent 
and forms a continuous settlement, composed principally of the decendants 
of the Acadian French, and is one of the finest settlements in the Pro- 
vince. 

On the whole it will be seen that though this extensive county is still a 
comparative wilderness, yet it is so intersected by valuable streams, (a 
more full description of which will be found under the head of— summary 
description of the St. John River, &c.,) which invariably in America form 
the foundation for settlement, that there can be little doubt but ere long, as 
the present roads are extended and new ones constructed, a fine and almost 
boundless field will be opened for agricultural operations, as well as from its 
abundant water power, the erection of machinery for manufacturing and 
mechanical purposes. 

Roads. — The principal road in this county is that from Woodstock, pass- 
ing along the right bank of the Saint John to the Great Falls, where it 
crosses the river, and thence up its left bank, traversing many heavy streams 
where bridges are required, to the Madawaska Settlement, forty miles from 
the Falls, and from thence to Quebec, 217 miles. This road runs through 
a good agricultural district, which, with few a exceptions, is thickly settled. 
At the confluence of the Madawaska with the Saint John, a road diverges 
up the left bank of the latter, along the front of the Parish of St. Francis. 
Other roads extend from the lower line of the County, up the left bank 
of the Saint John to the Grand Falls— up the Tobique river— from the 
Aroostook Falls, to the American boundary— as also on Green River, and 
on the east side of the Madawaska ; and there are various other roads run- 
ning from the Saint John to new Settlements, the principal of which, be- 
sides those on the river, are the Tobique, Little Aroostook, and Green river 
settlements ; all these as well as many others, already formed, or in course 
of formation, are rapidly improving ; the granted lands being as yet prin- 
cipally confined to strips bordering on the streams. The quality of the soil 
along the whole extent of the post road, i3 only second to that of the marshes 
at the head of the Bay of Fundy, or the intervales of King's County. This 
valuable tract of land extends in some places to a distance of twenty, and 
in others of thirty miles, from the boundary of Maine. 

A very extensive field will soon be thro wF open for settlement by the 
construction of a new road from the Tobique, to the settlements on the Iles- 
tigouche river, for the exploration and formation of which the Legislature 
appropriated one thousand pounds during the Session of 1854. This road 
will traverse a very valuable district from the Saint John to the head waters 
of the Restigouche, and thence down the eastern side of that beautiful river. 

The inhabitants of the upper part of the Saint John ; are composed part- 
ly of Europeans, and partly of natives of the Province, and of Canada and 



'8 



the United States, together, with a large portion of the descendants of the 
Acadian French. 

^ The same reason which prevented us from giving the comparative statis- 
tical table of the county of Victoria, viz : the unsettled state of the Ame- 
rican boundary in 1840. applies also to this County. 



1851. — Population^ and other Statistics of Victoria County. 




Parishes. 




Ando- 


Mada- 


Perth. 


Saint 


Saint 


St. Leo- 


Totals. 




ver. 


waska. 


Basil. 


Francis 


nard. 


Inhabitants, 


1,317 


858 


627 


1,037 


732 


837 


5,408 


Families, 


231 


140 


90 


151 


113 


146 


871 


Children at school, • 


95 


50 


32 


58 




60 


295 


School houses ; 


4 


3 


2 


3 




4 


16 


Places of worship, 


6 






1 


1 




8 


Births, 


57 


22 


23 


45 


52 


12 


251 


Deaths, 


11 


8 


4 


18 


14 


11 


66 


Sick and infirm, 


9 


11 


25 


33 


7 


6 


91 


Agriculturists, 


151 


103 


80 


102 


85 


131 


652 


Saw mills, 


2 




1 


2 


3 


1 


9 


Grist mills, 


3 






2 


2 


1 


8 


Acres of land cleared, 


4,496 


5,820 


2,478 


6,631 


2,971 


4,438 


26,834 


Tons of hay, 


1,244 


967 


822 


2,250 


728 


950 


6,961 


Bushels of wheat, 


1,471 


429 


1,831 


520 


355 


656 


5,262 


" barley, 


1,146 


2,261 


128 


1,283 


886 


2,275 


7,979 


** oats, 


18,049 


7,359 


7.822 


11,869 


5,912 


8,152 


59,163 


" "buckwheat, 


9,894 


6,470 


2,539 


13,175 


3,330 


9,322 


44,730 


11 Indian corn, 


594 






83 


106 


41 


824 


" potatoes, 


24,822 


12,660 


1,536 


20,011 


8 } 931 


16,567 


84,527 


Horses and cattle, 














6,308 


Sheep and swine, 














10,374 



Summary description of the Saint John River with notices of its 

upper course. 

Having in the preceding sections given a detailed description of the seven 
counties which are intersected by this magnificent river, and so abundantly 
watered by its tributories, we propose now, at the risk of some repetition to 
again turn the readers attention to this section of the Province. 

We will begin with the fine and spacious harbor formed by its mouth, 
open at all seasons of the year, easily accessible, and safe in all winds, fre- 
quently studded with from^ to 400 sail of vessels ; the increasing and 
thriving city, and the no less thriving county, with their 40,000 inhabitants, 
100 schools and 40 places of worship ; nor must we forget the extent of 
cleared land, the progress of agriculture, and the varied mineral and almost 
unlimited piscatory facilities. 

The river after passing the falls, presents indications of having formerly 
been a chain of lakes, and flows through an irregular broken country, inter- 
spersed with lofty hills, some of them rising to the height of 500 feet, and 
the whole presenting the appearance of a volcanic origin. This district af- 
fords the most beautiful viows varying with every turn of the river, and 



179 

embracing wide and spacious lakes connected by winding streams which 
water the most fertile vallies, thickly covered with fine settlements. It is 
almost impossible to over value the agricultural county of Kings with its 
20.000 inhabitants, and 2000 buildings, including upwards of sixty places 
of worship and 100 schools. Here again is an extent of cultivated land 
amounting to 100,000 acres, and here too, are those mineral deposites which, 
hold out the promise of future wealth. Nor are we without sanguine ex- 
pectations that those promises will be realized when that great undertaking 
which is to form a speedy channel of communication between two distant 
seas —to improve and expediate the intercourse between two mighty empires 
— and in its ultimate results to cement together far distant Provinces, shall 
be completed. 

Proceeding up the river we come to a more level, but still slightly undu- 
lating country, with a few hills occasionally rising in the distance. The 
three counties of Queen's, Sunburyand York, all similar in character, have 
been already described, and we have endeavored to do justice to their rich 
and alluvial lands and river islands, teeming with every description of agri- 
cultural produce. The banks of the river are lined with oak, ash, elm, and 
maple, the latter not only affording a valuable timber, but supplying the 
inhabitants with upwards of 170,000 pounds of excellent sugar. We 
are unwilling to omit the varied tints which autumn spreads over 
this beautiful region, so rich and so splendid, as to compete with the fresh 
and green foliage of the spring ; nor ought we to leave out the 
numerous steam boats, the small craft which are continually passing, the 
ponderous raft, and the innumerable logs, slowly floating to Saint John, and 
affording indisputable evidence of the rich commercial character of the upper 
country. Not less than 50.000 persons are computed to have passed up 
and down this fine stream during the year 1853, and to have witnessed at 
the various seasons, the beauties to which we have endeavored to call the 
attention of the reader. May we hope that this scenery will, when the pro- 
jected facilities of intercourse with Europe shall have been completed, at- 
tract the notice of some of those travellers who at present confine their 
tours to the Continent of Europe, or if they reach another hemisphere, deem 
the United States alone, worthy the expenditure of their time or their 
money. 

To return, however, to our recapitulation of the advantages possessed by 
these river counties : Queen's contains a population of 11,000 with 66,000 
acres of cleared land. Sunbury, a small county, has 5,500 inhabitants; 
the two have 6,560 buildings which include 56 places of worship and 89 
school houses. We now reach Fredericton, a fine, though a3 yet a small 
city. York is a large county, containing many villages and scattered set- 
tlements ; its population numbers 20,000, with 75,000 acres of cultivated 
land. Its edifices are 6,400, many of them of a superior character, among 
which are 50 places of worship and 60 educational establishments. 

The traveller who may be induced to inquire into the territorial divisions 
of the country, through which we have been passing, will be forcibly struck 
with the great inconvenience before alluded to, attending the mode in which 
not only the counties, but in some instances, the parishes, have been laid 
out on both sides, many of the large rivers, thereby, separating one portion 
of a municipality from the other; as well as with the irregularity and ine- 
quality of many of the divisions, inexcusable in a new country, where the 
boundaries of each county and parish ought, on or soon after its first set* 



180 

tlement, to be so laid out 'as to facilitate the civil management, with the least 
possible loss of time to the settler. 

We have now ascended the river to the county of Carleton, and to Wood- 
stock, its capital, anticipating of course, those improvements in the naviga- 
tion which will render this place at all times, accessible to river steam boats. 
Woodstock, though now a scattered village, is fast rising into importance , 
and when to its improved navigation, the full and ample working of the 
rich deposit of iron ore, and the completion of the railway to this point are 
added, it will be almost impossible to estimate the size and prosperity to 
which it may attain. Those who are acquainted with the progress of the 
iron districts of England and Wales, or with the rapid progress of Pittsburg 
in the United States, can form the best estimate of its future. The popu- 
lation of the town and county is now 12,000 ; the buildings number 1,600 
including 25 places of worship and 57 school houses ; the cleared land con- 
sists of 60,000 acres. # 

If the trip to this point has been interesting, the further ascent of the 
river, to the Grand Falls, can hardly be less so, especially as that object alone, 
of which we have already attempted a partial and very imperfect description, 
would amply repay the traveller. The whole county of Victoria presents much 
to interest and amuse, but it is, as* yet, almost an unknown land. The soil 
above Woodstock is superior to most of the up'and districts lower down the 
river ; cultivation alone is wanting to render this county, or at least so much 
of it as is known, the very garden of the Province. Its vast area is ample 
for the formation of two other good sized counties, as soon as it shall con- 
tain an adequate population ; and the rivers, already navigable, with which 
it abounds, the numerous small streams which might easily be made so, and 
the levels which may be found extending in every direction, notwithstand- 
ing its general mountainous character, peculiaily fit it for being the centre 
of extensive communications to the St. Lawrence and Canada, to the Ees- 
tigouche, the Miramichi, and the sea ports of the eastein coast, as well as 
to a large and improving section of the United btates. While its capabili- 
ties are unknown, they cannot be appreciated, and the entei prising settlers 
and adventurous travellers who explore these regions are so lew, that we are 
persuaded that every particular respecting them cannot fail to excite an in- 
terest. We have leceived much information, on this subject, from a gentle- 
man on whom the utmost reliance can be placed, and whose opportunities 
for observation were ample ; this we will endeavor to lay before our read- 
ers. 

On reference to the map, it wil be seen that the due northern line, from 
the monument near the source of the Saint Croix, intersects the Saint John 
two milts above the Grand Falls ; consequently, the right tank of the river, 
from that point upwards, is in the State of Maine. Qhe left bank, how- 
ever, piesents much greater facilities for settlement, being intersected with 
a number of beautiful wild rivers, passing through fertile lands possessing 
unbounded fields of timber, suitable for ship building and making deals. 

These rivers are unsettled, except for a short distance from their mouths. 
Little Liver mingles its waters with the Saint John, at the very pitch 
of the Grand Falls, and extends twenty-five miles into the interior, through 
a valuable tract of country. 

> ext comes the Grand Eiver about forty miles in extent; this forms the 
principal route to the Piestigonche, by means of the Wagan, a tributory of 
the latter; the source of the two rivers fc being about three miles apart 



There are also two small tributaries of the Saint John between the Grand 
river and the Green river, called the Sheigash and the Quissibis. 

The Green river (so called from the color of its waters, which can be dis- 
tinguished for some distance after their junction with the main stream) takes 
its rise in the height of land within fifty miles of the St. Lawrence, and 
a few miles of the sources of the Umdarkyoke and the Belle Kedgweek ; 
and after meandering for sixty miles through a succession of beautiful lakes, 
and a well wooded tract of country, of excellent soil, enters the Saint John 
thirty miles from the Grand Falls. 

Next to the Green river is the Iroquois, which rises in the Madawaska Seignory . 

The Madawaska is the next tributory, and the most remarkable of them 
all. There is a Fall at its entrance into the Saint John, which, with the 
rapids for half a mile above, constitute a height of thirty-five feet; after 
which, until the point where it leaves Lake Tomiscouta, there are no ob- 
structions, and there is sufficient water, on ordinary occasions, for small 
steamers. The river is twenty-one miles in length to the Dege le, where it 
emerges from Lake Temiscouta. This is a beautiful lake, twenty miles 
long, and from two to four miles wide. On the west side, near the head, 
the Cabana river, twenty-five miles long, runs into it, and connects it with 
another lake, fifteen miles long and from one to two miles wide, tending to- 
wards the river Saint John. The surrounding lands are all well wooded ; 
and the scenery is very fine. Temiscouta Lake is supplied on the East by 
the Tulidi, with a large branch called the Squattock, taking its rise in a 
number of lakes. The Tulidi has its origin in the highlands of the Ri- 
mouski, which falls into the St. Lawrence. Another source of the Temis- 
couta and Madawaska river is the Asheberies, flowing into the northern part 
of the lake. These various lakes and streams drain a valley 150 miles in 
circumference, and discharge their united waters into the Saint John at the 
Little Falls. This district of country, as has been shewn, is remarkably 
well watered ; every portion of it is capable of being cultivated, and pos- 
sesses inexhaustible supplies of timber of all kinds. The largest of the 
pine tribe, however, have been culled by the lumbermen. 

Proceeding up the Saint John, the next tributory is called Baker river, 
taking its origin near the source of Long Lake, which runs into the Cabana 
river, before described. One of its branches is supplied by Baker lake, 
some four miles long by three miles wide. This portion of the county of 
Victoria is wholly unsettled, save on the banks of the river Saint John ; 
but, from the goodness of the land, it offers great facilities for settlements. 

A few miles aboje Baker river, Fish river enters the Saint John, having 
its source in the State of Maine, and being supplied from a succession of 
lakes, called the iagle lakes. 

The next is the beautiful river St. Francis, which is the boundary between 
Maine, New Brunswick, and Canada, as far as the foot of Lake Pobeua- 
gawook. This lake is six miles long and two wide. Twelve miles up the 
St. Francis, it enters another lake, called the Pohenagamook, the outlet of 
which is the boundary between Canada and New Brunswick. This is a 
most lovely lake, six miles long and two miles wide ; the land descends gra- 
dually to the waters edge, and gives one the impression of an Amphitheatre 
on a grand scale, the soil is excellent, and it is beautifully wooded. 

These waters, as also those of the Temiscouta and Madawaska, are well 
supplied with Tulidi, a fresh water fish, weighing from seven to ten lb., of 
delicious flavor— with white fish, and large trout. 



182 

On the right bank of the Saint John, about six miles from the mouth of 
the St. Francis, the Allegash river joins it ; it takes its rise near the sources 
of the Penobscot, and, in its course of about 39 miles, passes through seve- 
ral large lakes. 

From this point to the sources of the river Saint John, a distance of se- 
venty-five miles, the following tributories finish the catalogue of the various 
affluents of the upper Saint John, viz: Little Black river, Ktjewguospew, 
Great Black river, north-west Branch, south-west Branch, and South 
Branch, all of them rivers of considerable size. 

The geological formation of the county of Victoria, is principally com- 
posed of slate; even in the highlands no granite is to be seen. Limestone 
is not so abundant as in the adjoining county of Carleton; neither is it so 
prolific in minerals. This may very possibly arise from their not having 
been discovered, as the greater portion of the county is yet in a wilderness 
state. 

The number, beauty and extent of the rivers and lakes of the upper St. 
John, are astonishing. With a soil unsurpassed — well wooded with every 
description of valuable timber, this fine county is wholly uninhabited, 
save a solitary lodgement here and there for lumberers. It will at some fu- 
ture time teem with inhabitants, and with all the luxuries of civilization, 
and the traveller will enjoy the magnificent views, little suspecting the scene 
it once presented. 

Such is the magnificent county of Victoria, well worthy of the name it 
bears. Every step towards the opening this vast region to enterprize should 
be hailed and encouraged, and the removal of the obstructions in the St. 
John, and the construction of a railroad round the Grand Falls are links 
in the chain. We may look forward, too, to a connection between the north- 
ern extremity of Lake Temiscouta and the Grand Trunk Railway of Cana- 
da, which is to be brought down the south bank of the St. Lawrence as far 
as Trois Pistoles. 

What a field is here open for the reception of large bodies of settlers 
from Europe, — let us contrast its present population of 5,500 with about 
2,200 buildings, 16 school houses, and 9 places of worship, with what mo- 
derately sanguine imagination of our readers, may suppose it to be at the 
end of fifty years. The cleared land bears a good proportion to the popu- 
ation, being about 30,000 acres out of nearly 3,000,000, nearly all capable 
of cultivation. 

To sum up in conclusion, the whole statistics of these seven river counties, 
we may safely estimate them now to contain a population of upwards of 
115,000 souls. Judging indeed from the increase in ti^ number of chil- 
dren attending school, which in 1851, was 8,559 ; while in 1853, it amounted 
to 12,346, the total inhabitants, at the same ratio of increase, would be more 
than 120,000; and if the improvements made, and in progress, are to be 
considered as any further proof, this estimate will not be immoderate. The 
total number of buildings, public and private, may in like manner be esti- 
mated, as a total, at 34,000, out of which there are 240 places of worship, 
and 250 school houses. The aggregate land in cultivation will not fall short 
of 400,000 acres. 



183 

Historical Sketch of the River Saint John, and its early Settlements. 

All the early settlers on this continent were the subjects of great vicissi- 
tudes ; but none were more exposed to them than those who commenced 
their operations on the river Saint John. This river, as well as the Baie 
Francais, now the Bay of Fundy, was discovered by De Monts, in the year 
1604. It was called by the natives, Ougundy ; but from being discovered 
11 on the 24th of June, the day of the festival of Saint John the Baptist," 
it received the name it now bears. 

The discoverer, li imagining that a shorter communication might be found 
by this river, than by the sea, to the Bay Chaleur and Tadousac," the lat- 
ter being a French settlement on the river Saint Lawrence, below Quebec, 
and near the mouth of the Saguenay, "sailed up the stream as far as the 
depth of water would permit. The extent of this river, the fish with which 
it was filled, the grapes growing on its banks, and the beauty of the scenery, 
were all objects of wonder and admiration." — (Haliburton's History of No- 
va Scotia, vol. 1st, page 16 ) 

Acadia, which included this Province, was ceded by treaty to France in 
1632 ; and in 1635, a grant of territory was made to Charles la Tour. 
Soon after, forts were built ; one on the site of the present town of Carle- 
ton, called Fort Frederic, and another at the Gemseg, the outlet to Grand 
iSke, in Queen's county. Between this period and 1673, Acadia was re- 
taken by the English, and again ceded to France by the treaty of Breda, 
when these forts fell into the hands of the French. During the temporary 
possession of Acadia by England, a report of the state of the forts on this 
river was made. We glean the following from Mr. Haliburton's work, in 
the volume already referred to, p. 66. The fort on the Gemseg consisted, 
principally, of a court of guard, fifteen paces long and ten broad ; a house 
of like length and breadth, built of hewn stone ; a chapel of six paces 
square, with a "bell, weighing about eighteen pounds ," also, "a magazine 
having two stories, built of stone, * * * being in length about thir- 
ty-six paces, and ten in breadth ;" all these, and some other buildings of 
little note, were covered with shingles. 

" Upon the ramparts of the said fort are twelve iron guns," Weighing 
21,122 pounds ; also, "six murtherers, without chambers, weighing twelve 
hundred pounds." Besides several outhouses near the fort, there was a 
garden, consisting of "fifty or sixty trees / bearing fruit." The whole was 
in a dilapidated state, and out of repair ; so much so, "that a single pirati- 
cal vessel," said to be under Captain Kidd, " having only 110 men on board, 
was able to effect the reduction of Pentagoet," a place bordering on New 
England, "and the fort of Gemseg, on the river Saint John, and plunder 
the inhabitants of both places." 

This fort, when in a more efficient state, and in the possession of the 
French and Indians, was attacked by Col. Church ; but it was so ably de- 
fended, that he had to re-embark his men without effecting the object of his 
expedition. 

In consequence of jealousy, or some other cause not properly known, 
Dauclere de Chaunisse, who was subsequently appointed Governor, attacked 
La Tour forts, on the Saint John. Having been defeated the first time, he 
again laid siege to that on the Gemseg ; but it was nobly defended by Madam 
La Tour, with a comparatively small force, for three days. She was after- 
wards betrayed, and, on being promised protection, capitulated, to save the 



184 • 

lives of herself and her force ; but she experienced faithlessness on the part 
of the besieger, who, when in possession, pardoned only two of the garri- 
son, one of whom he compelled to be the executioner of the rest, and made 
the other, Madam La Tour, the heroine of the scene, to appear at the gal- 
lows with a rope round her neck. This noble woman, worn out with disap- 
pointment and hardship, did not long survive these troubles. 

In the year 1755, forces were again fitted out by the English, under Col. 
Monkton, whose operations at the head of the Bay of Fundy have been 
elsewhere described. While he was thus engaged, Captain Rous, with his 
ships, consisting of three frigates and a sloop of war, " sailed to the mouth 
of the river Saint John, to attack the new fort the French had erected 
there ; but they saved him the trouble by abandoning it upon his appear- 
ance, after having burst their cannon, blown up their magazine, and destroy- 
ed, as far as they had time, all the work they had lately raised." — (Hali- 
burton, page 168.) 

During all this time, from the discovery of the river till 1763, when peace 
was restored, and France renounced all claims to the present British pos- 
sessions in North America, these forts, and the few scattered settlers in the 
neighborhood, became, alternately, the subjects of the two hostile na- 
tions. 

These harassing troubles had no sooner passed away, than new ones broke 
out ; the American Revolution once more disturbed the calm that had per- 
vaded this continent. This war, as in the case of a house divided against 
itself, though of shorter duration, was productive of greater horrors. Dur- 
ing the heat of the rebellion, 600 Indian warriors met at Gemseg for the 
purpose of aiding the rebels in destroying the settlers at Maugerville, in the 
county of Sunbury, who, in the year 1783, and including all on the river St. 
John, numbered only about 800 souls. 

Though history only affords information of two forts on the river Saint 
John— that at its mouth, and the other at Gemseg— still the traces of others 
are to be found ; and one of these, at the Oromocto, afforded refuge to these 
settlers when thus attacked by the savage natives, who were only appeased 
by promises of large presents, which were afterwards sent them. 

The present site of the city of St. John was occupied by James Simonds, 
James White. Captain Francis Peabody and others, as a fishing estab- 
lishment, in 1764 ; the descendants of these persons are numerous in the 
Province. 

Until 1784, New Brunswick, under the name of the county of Sunbury, 
formed a part of Nova Scotia. From this period she dates her political 
existence, and Thomas Carleton was appointed her first Governor, on the 
16th of August, in that year. 

Having thus briefly detailed the principal historical features of this sec- 
tion of the Province, we proceed to lay before our readers a summary of its 
present aspect, and leave them to institute a comparison between its present 
and former state. 

We have thus endeavored impartially to describe the southern and western 
counties of the Province, both as far as our own observation has extended, 
and with the help of every available source of information, and the assis- 
tance of some kind friends. It will, we trust, be evident, that the physi- 
cal, agricultural, mineral, and commercial character of these counties pre- 
sents a wide field for their full developement in these, as well as in many 
other branches of industry. It will be evident, too, that all that is required 



185 

to render them more people-sustaining, is the introduction of more capital, 
of more labour, and above all, of energy and enterprise. 

One fact must present itself forcibly to the mind of the attentive reader, 
throughout the whole of the investigation we have attempted to pursue, — 
that notwithstanding all former geological explorations ; notwithstanding 
the ample reports and assiduous labors of Dr Gesner; notwithstanding the 
partially succe-sful attempts made to establish this branch of industry in 
some districts, and the hitherto abortive efforts in others, we still know lit- 
tle of what lies in the bowels of the hills and vallie3 which everywhere di- 
versify the country ; and we have no doubt but that further and more 
minute geological research will unfold a vast additional amount of mineral 
riches, almost universally spread over these counties, which will afford am- 
ple employment for our manufacturing population, both present and future, 
when the forest ceases to supply their demands. 

We must now turn, and invite the reader's attention to the northern and 
eastern counties of our Province, where we shall be able to display another 
extensive domain, rich in agricultural capabilities, abounding with various 
mineral deposits, clothed with an exhaustless forest of fine timber, and pos- 
sessed of a coast affording good harbors, and abounding with almost every 
variety of the finest fish in the world. And in the sequel, we hope to shew 
the emigrant where, according to his inclination, his means, or his previous 
habits and pursuits, he may locate himself advantageously with ease, econo- 
my, and dispatch. 

RESTIGOUCHE COUNTY. 

Boundaries. — "The County of Restigouche bounded westerly by Vic- 
toria ; northerly by the Province of Canada and the Bay of Chaleur ; eas- 
terly by the line run true south, by Deputy Carruthers, in the year 1848, 
from the Bay Chaleur near the mouth of Belledune river, and its southerly 
prolongation ; south, by the westerly prolongation of the south line of lot 
number one, in the grant to Simon Arseneau and associates, near the Little 
Nipisiquit, including all the islands adjacent thereto." 

Area and Population. — This county contains an area, according to the 
calculations made at the Crown Land Department of the Province, of 1,426,« 
560 acre3 ; but from the course recently run by the Boundary Commission- 
ers in their survey now in prosecution, between New Brunswick and Cana- 
da, it will probably contain not less than 1,500 000 acres, — of this quantity 
only 8,895 acres are improved, leaving a balance of 1,491,105 acres in a 
state of nature; but of the whole area of the county, there are 150,979 
acres granted ; so that there is not over one eighteenth part of the quantity 
granted, under any state of improvement. It is fully believed by those best 
acquainted with the character of the interior of this county, that not one in 
the Province, except Carleton, contains so large a per centage of good land ; 
for while almost the whole of the latter county is w^ll adapted for cultiva- 
tion, Restigouche includes about one million of acres, being two thirds of 
its total contents, highly fit for agricultural purposes. It contained in 1851, 
a population of 4,161 souk, and has a bench of 22 magistrates 

Agriculture. — The character of the land for agricultural operations is, 
beyond all doubt, the best, for so large an extent, in the Province. From 
the reports of the Restigouche Agricultural Society, which has been es- 
tablished for 14 years, and is one of the best in the Province, we extract 
the following averages of the weight of farming produce : 

26 



186 

Wheat, per bushel, 66 lbs., Indian Corn, 61 lbs. 

Barley " 55 Field Peas, 68 

Black Oats " 42 Clover Seed, 62 

White « " 46 Timothy Seed, 45 

Greater weight than the above have been obtained, especially as regards 
wheat ; but those are the averages for a number of years. 

With regard to the growth of Indian corn, the tenth annual report of 
this Society says, page 10, "Your Committee have at length succeeded in 
procuring a variety of Indian corn, suitable to the climate, which produced 
71 bushels to the acre, and may be relied on as a sure crop ; it was planted 
on the 19th of May, and harvested on the 28th of September." 

There are some fields on the banks of the Restigouche as well cultivated 
as any to be found in much older districts ; and the County could, if its la- 
tent resources were made available, sustain over one half of the present 
population of the whole Province. The land in many places is very dry, 
but the principal part of that along the foot of the mountain range, though 
somewhat gravelly, is mixt with a rich vegetable loam, well adapted for the 
growth of hay, and for pasturage ; while the more elevated portions are noted 
for their grain-growing qualities. 

Professor Johnston, in his u Notes on North America," vol. 1, page 394, 
says, with respect to this region, " these first settlements we come to, are 
about eight miles north, in a straight line, from the banks of the Restigou- 
che river, and 1250 feet above the level of the sea. That the crops and 
culture and farming I saw here, should be possible at so high a level, shews 
not only that the land is naturally good, but that this northern climate must 
be far more propitious to vegetation than is generally believed. One thing 
the traveller through a region like this is surprised at ; when he stumbles 
on a settled and cultivated track of land, such as I was now passing through, 
he wonders how the people came to find it out. Who induced all these men 
and women to leave remote corners of Scotland, and settle in this remote 
corner of south eastern Canada. The whole line of country is a terra in- 
cogniia ) at Quebec and Fredericton. At the seat of government of both 
Provinces, where they complain of how little we know of their geopraphy 
at home, the spot I speak of was absolutely unknown ; and yet humble 
Scotchmen and their families had made choice of it, and already fixed upon 
it their future homes. There is an under current of knowledge flowing 
among the masses, chiefly through the literary communication of far distant 
blood relations, of which public literature knows nothing, and even Govern- 
ments are unaware." The Professor here is perfectly correct in what he 
says of the scanty knowledge of this region possessed by other sections of 
the Province ; for it is not until recently that even a general knowledge of 
its existence was acquired, much less an acquaintance with its resources and 
peculiarities. , 

After noticing the large crops generally produced, and the fertility of the 
SO*il#with some other incidental matters connected with the district, he says, 
" I insist thece and other particulars, because it struck me from its natural 
beauty and fertility, and from the peculiarly healthy character displayed by 
its rural population, to be more worthy of the attention of those desirous 
of changing their homes, than either we, or the New Brunswicker general- 
ly, are in the habit of supposing." 

The Commissioners who explored the country firm Halifax to Quebec, 
635 miles, in 1848 with a view to the construction of a railway, testify 



187 

strongly in their report to the great worth of these northern sections as a 
field for colonization, nor indeed is evidence wanting from every one who 
has visited the scenery of Restigouche, and explored its rivers, its fertile 
lands, its sea and river fisheries, its vast and almost exhaustless forests of 
fine timber. Still few, very few, compared with the many who take up 
their residence on the more rocky and comparatively sterile shores of the 
Bay of Fundy, settle in this fine region which only requires, population and 
enterprize to make it a great and valuable country. 

A large district of this County is of limestone, and becomes ready 
to receive seed in a very short time after the spring thaws are over ; conse- 
quently, seed time arriving earlier than many farmers are in the habit of 
sowing, a larger season for vegetation. 

On the Canadian side of the boundary, there are large tracts of good 
land, especially between the Metapediac river and its tributaries, and the 
Restigouche river. These are both extensive and rich, and would af- 
ford scope for the location of some hundreds of families. It is timbered 
with spruce, beech, birch, and maple, especially the latter, affording great 
facilities for sugar making. On the Canadian coast of the Bay Chaleur 
also there are fine vallies of fertile land intervening between the hills, so 
that the whole of this vast region possesses all the elements of future great- 
ness within itself. 

The climate, though rigorous in winter, is very healthy, so much so, that 
it is generally believed that these epidemical diseases which are not yet 
known there, though so destructive in other places, may not make their ap- 
pearance. It is true that the snow falls to a great depth, sometimes as 
much as five feet, which is one cause of the superior fertility of the soil ; 
but it has been found by experience, that, as the country becomes cleared of 
its dense forests, the winters become more mild and as the snow does not 
accumulate to such an extent. This has been proved true in other parts of 
the Province : and even within the distance of thirty or forty miles, the 
effects of the removal of the forests on the temperature of the surrounding 
atmosphere have been sensibly felt. 

Roads and Settlements. — In consequence of the gravelly nature of the 
soil, the roads in the settled portion of the county, are better and more du- 
rable than those of any other part of the Province. The principal road yet 
open, runs along the margin of the Bay of Chaleur, and of the Restigou- 
che river ; along this road there is about seventy miles of this frontier part 
of the county occupied, and to the southward of Dalhousie and Campbelton 
settlements are now forming to the rear of the front lots. Cross roads 
branch 'Yom the main line to these settlements which commence near the 
head of Eel river, running parallel with the Bay shore, and are known by 
the several names of Dundee, Colebrooke, Lilly Lake, Sugar-leaf. Glenely 
and Glenlivit. There are some few scattering settlers extending their loca- 
tions nearly to the Upsalquitch river, beyond which inhabitants become few 
and far between. 

The country in many places assumes a mountainous appearance, yet rich 
arable land is found to extend to the very base, even of the highest and 
most rocky precipices, some of which rise to an elevation of from three to 
four and even seven hundred feet. This range of high land runs along the 
coast, at an average distance of three-fourths of a mile from the bay and 
river ; and th§ intervening table hag a gradual ascent from th@ shore to it* . 
foot, being evorj wbt w trav§y*$4 by %%mm dwmdtog ftew &« h*»i$?b*jfc 



188 

In many places cultivation may be carried to the very summits, and on the 
southerly side the descent is sometimes as abrupt as it is towards the sea, 
until it terminates in undulating ridges of rich land, well adapted for the 
plough. At the head of the Bay Chaleur, antl where the Restigouche as- 
sumes the form of a river, there is the commencement of a tract of "flat 
lands," similar in quality to the marshes of Westmoreland, or the alluvial 
lands of Sussex Vale and the river Saint John. 

These flat lands extend about five mile3 up the river, to the mouth of the 
Matapediac, and range from a quarter to three quarters of a mile in breadth ; 
the largest body being on the Canadian side. The whole tract is of great 
value for the production of hay. There is a continuous settlement on this 
frontier of about sixty miles, rich in every agricultural capability, and the 
only obstacle to the inhabitants becoming the most independent and wealthy in 
that portion of the Province, is their mixt, and as it were, mongrel character — 
one-third fisherman, one-third lumberman, and one-third farmer, may be said 
to compose most of the settlers along the shore ; and until they learn prac- 
tically, each to do his own work, and to confine himself to his proper avoca- 
tion, it will be impossible that they should reap the full benefit of the ad- 
vantages laid before' them. This is strongly evinced by the progress made 
by new settlers on good lands more remote from the bay and river, and who 
confine themselves to their lands, or at all events make farming their prin- 
cipal employment ; these men seldom fail to become comfortable and inde- 
pendent, and are far outstripping the settlers on the richer lands skirting 
the bay, who make all these pursuits alternately the means of earning a 
subsistence. 

Proposed Road from Campbelton to Tobique. — The writer is indebted 
to John -Glllis, Esq., who assisted in the exploration of this road for the 
following topographical description of the land. 

The first eleven miles, from Campbelton, towards the river Saint John, 
runs through a tract of hardwood land of the best quality ; the next seven 
miles is principally soft-wood land of a good growth of timber ; the third 
section of seven miles is good land, principally hardwood. A tract of good 
land extends up the Bay Popelogan stream for seven or eight miles, the 
best, Mr. Gillies says, in the Province. The fourth section on the line, 
about eleven miles is poor land, the greater part having been burnt over ; 
the fifth section of the same distance is timbered principally with hardwood, 
and is good land ; from thence to Nictau Lake (which is a sheet of water 
five miles in length by half a mile in width) about four miles, the land is 
not so good ; from this lake to the Nictau, or square forks, on the Tobique, 
is twenty miles, which, with the exception of about three miles, is poor 
land. There is a large extent of interval, beginning four miles above the 
mouth of the Nictau, and sheltering up the Campbell river for five miles. 
From the Nictau to the mouth of the Tobique is forty-two miles which con- 
sists principally of good land for settlement, and the banks of the latter ri- 
ver are occupied for about twenty miles of this distance upward from the 
Saint John. About twenty-six miles from the mouth, is a region of Gyp- 
sum extending along the river's bank for about half a mile, and the rock 
being forty feet in height ; it is extensively used for agricultural purposes, 
especially as barges can be brought to the quarry. Another extensive tract 
of good land ranges from the northwest branch of the Upsalquitch to the 
fire 6 )k falling into the Reatigouoho ; it should be observed that the 

distant betwea the tf iataa and Nipwiquii Lakes U nearly three mile*. Oc 



189 

the upper part of the Restigouche, the land is broken and not of such good 
quality. Taking the extent of good land fronting on this road, and still 
ungranted, there is no doubt but a Colony of at least 500 parishes could be 
located, in addition to the facilities afforded along the numerous streams tra- 
versing the country in every direction ; in fact, to obtain room for placing 
settlers in this section of the Province, it is only necessary to open up roads ; 
this can hardly be done in any direction without traversing extensive ranges 
of good land well adapted for this purpose. The present Legislative ses- 
sion, 1855, has granted £1000 for a road from the Tobique, via the Grand 
Falls, to the Restigouche. 

Parishes. —This county is divided into five parishes : Durham, Colborne, 
Dalhousie, Addington, and Eldon ; these parishes all front on the bay and 
river, and have the post-road traversing them in common as far as Campbel- 
ton. The side lines all run true south from the frontier, and with the ex- 
ception of the Parish of Eldon, which is the most westesly, and is large 
enough for two or more parishes, the whole are laid out as well as the geo- 
graphical position of the county will admit. 

The Town of Dalhousie in the Parish of the same name, is the Capita 
of the County, and the most northern part of the Province. It is situate 
fifty-two miles above Bathurst, and stands on a rectangular plot of ground, 
having three of its sides bounding on the Bay of Chaleur ; the town is neat- 
ly laid out, its streets running at right angles to each other and being of suf- 
ficient width. Here stand the public buildings of the county, including the 
Court house, Jail, Post Office, and Grammar School, together with three 
places of worship, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Episcopal, the latter being 
now in the course of erection. Many of the stores and private buildings 
are neat and well built, and the whole town evinces taste, system, and order, 
as well as some degree of animation and bustle, and from its beautiful situa- 
tion, jutting out into the Bay of Chaleur, and surrounded by an enormous 
extent of rich land, it must yet be a place of considerable note, especially as 
it affords such excellent facilities for both Bay and River Fisheries, and for 
trade with the various settlements around the Bay Chaleur. On the north 
side is one of the best places for booming operations to be found in America, 
and which no doubt was the principal reason for the selection of this spot as 
the site of a town. Nature has here built a wall, and left a door of entrance 
within, with timber sufficient to load a fleet of ships can lie in perfect safety. 

Herron Island is situate in the Bay of Chaleur, a short distance below 
Dalhousie, and contains some good land and well cultivated farms, it is in- 
cluded in this county. 

Campbelton is situated in the Parish of Addington, sixteen miles above 
Dalhousie, and at the head of the Bay Chaleur. It extends into the water 
in the form of a right angle, two sides of which are washed by the bay, 
which at this point is one mile wide. The streets are broad and run at 
right angles to each other, although the town is not very well laid off; still 
it contains some neat stores and prirate edifices, and two places of worship. 
Presbyterian and Methodist. From this point a steam boat regularly cros- 
ses to the Canadian side during the summer season. There are numerous 
wharves extending into the harbor, where ships not drawing more than eigh- 
teen feet may load in perfect safety ; and there is also a good place for 
booming timber. The Countrv round Campbelton, as well as that near Dal- 
housie is studded with conisal hilta) the Sugar Loaf, said to b* 800 feet high, 
i% xk% mm pra&iiatiitt 



190 

The settlements on the Canadian side extend from the mouth of the Bay 
of Chaleur for nearly one hundred miles up the Restigouche, and as far as 
the mouth of the Matapediac river, the whole coast being settled with small 
towns and villages. On the same side of the river (the Canadian) and 
nearly opposite Campbelton, stands " the Mission, : ' which is the largest set- 
tlement of Micmac Indians to be found in either Province ; about 600 are 
located there, and are engaged in fishing and hunting, as well as lumbering 
and agriculture ; they are found to be ingenious, generally humble and 
peaceable, and many of them very industrious, though they cling to many 
of their old customs and peculiarities of dress. They own a large tract of 
land under the Canadian Government, part of which they have in some 
measure improved ; on this they have a Chapel and a number of dwellings. 

Rivers and Streams. — In addition to an extensive front on the Bay 
Chaleur, navigable for the largest class of vessels, and the Restigouche 
river, which is only second to the St. John, and which traverses this county 
and a large portion of Victoria, there are many large streams tributory to 
the Restigouche, and entering it at various points. The first of any impor- 
tance is the Matapediac, which takes its rise in the Metis Mountains, and 
flows through an unbroken wilderness a distance of sixty miles, and enters 
the Restigouche thirty miles from its mouth. Five miles further up the 
Restigouche, the Upsalquitch river joins it from the right bank, and extends 
southeast into the wilderness for forty-five miles, its source being contiguous 
to that of the Tobique, which empties into the river Saint John. There is 
a vast tract of ungranted land skirting both banks of this stream, and which 
is free from stones. 

The next tributory is the Mistouche or Patapediae, which is the boundary 
between this Province and Canada, as far north as the 48th parallel of lati- 
tude. It is a very rapid river, with a fall of seventeen feet in the mile, is 
navigable for thirty miles with steamers, and extends northwest some twenty 
miles farther, interlacing with the Metis river. It enters the Restigouche 
river sixty-five miles from its mouth. Proceeding upwards twenty miles, 
the Restigouche branches into two nearly equal rivers, that on the right 
hand being called the Tom Redgewick ; this is evidently the largest stream, 
and extends sixty-five miles northwest into the high lands. 

Between the Mistouche and the Tom Redgewick, there is a valuable tract 
of land, excellent in quality, possessing inexhaustible quantities of timber 
suitable for ship -building and deals. 

The banks of the Restigouche, from eight miles above Campbleton to the 
confluence of the Tom Redgewick, are bold and steep. From this point, 
however, to its source, the banks are of gentle ascent, and there are large 
quantities of intervale, and the land is of good quality. The length of the 
navigable waters of the Restigouche is 135 miles ; and after leaving the 
flat lands twelve miles above Campbleton, with the exception of a few scat- 
tering settlers, the country is a wilderness, but by cultivation, would be ca- 
pable of supporting a numerous population. From the Matepediac to with- 
in two miles of Campbleton, there are an innumerable number of islands 
formed of intervale, the largest of which is two miles long, which, along 
with the sugar-loaf appearance of the mountains in the vicinity, presents 
the most magnificent scenery in the Province. The head of one of these 
islands, causing a rapid in the river, is the scene of the [melancholy fate of 
Capt. Piper, R. E., who lost his life in an effort to save that of a boy who 
m* upset in the canoe with him, 



191 

The rivers from this spat to the lower line of the county, though not ex- 
tensive, are very numerous; the principal being Eel, Charles, Benjamin and 
Jaquette rivers ; these, with many smaller, diverging through the county, 
afford the best facilities imaginable for machinery, requiring water power. 

Minerals.— This county, geologically considered, has, as yet, been but 
cursorily explored. No workable vein of coal has been discovered, 
though many districts present a carboniferous appearance ; still, the thick- 
est seam yet noticed does not exceed four inches, and consequently is not 
worth opening ; and it is generally believed that coal does not exist to any 
profitable extent. 

Limestone and marl are everywhere abundant, from the lower boundary 
at Belledune, to the mouth of the Restigouche. Along the banks of most 
of its streams, and on the borders of its high lands, these substances are 
visible in many places ; and, in fact, the whole bay and river frontier of the 
county is decidedly a lime district. Thus the farmers of this section of the 
Province possess a double facility — strong land, and abundance of lime for 
its manure. It is said that there are several varieties of stone to be found 
fit for grindstones. Dr. Gesner, in his last report, page 80, thus express- 
es himself : — " The only stones capable of being made into good grind- 
stones, observed during the exploration of 1852, belong to the coal-field 
at the mouth of the Restigouche." The nature of this " coal-field " has 
yet to be ascertained. 

Fisheries. — There are no fishing establishments on this coast ; the in- 
habitants merely take sufficient, during the seasons, of the various fisher- 
ies, for their own use, and allow the remainder to return to the sea. Her- 
rings are caught in the Bay Chaleur ; and salmon, of which there are a 
great abundance, of the largest and best in the Province, ascend the rivers 
to a great distance, where they are taken in season and out of season. 
Although saw mills are comparatively few in this county, and the passage 
of the fish up the rivers is, therefore, less interrupted than in many other lo- 
calities, yet they are speared and chased from their spawning grounds to 
such an extent, that their existence in this section of the Province will, in 
a short time, be, as we have before observed with regard to the fisheries of 
the Northumberland Straits and the Bay of Fundy, recorded among the 
things that once were. Legislative action is much required on this subject 
to prevent the total destruction of this invaluable branch of the fisheries of 
this Province. 

Commercial Resources. — The writer is indebted to Dugald Stewart, 
Esq., for much valuable information, both as to the agricultural and com- 
mercial aspect of this county. 

A comparatively small quantity of fish may be found among its exports, 
and the principal articles of trade are its timber and lumber, more es- 
pecially the former, the extensive inland water communications have given 
it advantages over every other part of the Province, for the squared tim- 
ber trade ; and though much of that produced on lands fronting the streams 
has been taken to market, yet there still exist large groves of excellent 
pine, and when this branch of the trade declines, (which it must do in a 
very few years,) the inexhaustible forest will yet remain, full of materials for 
the manufacture of deals, battens, and other descriptions of lumber ; and 
as the facilities for water power necessary for this durpose are so abundant, 
we may anticipate that when the same energy that has hitherto been ap- 
plied in another direction, is devoted to this manufacture, and provided the 



192 

then state of the foreign markets will warrant tha change that, both steam 
and water power mill3 will spring up, the former m the town and sea ports, 
and the latter on those splendid streams that are to be found along the coast 
of the Bay Chaleur. In 1851 there were only 6 new mills, and from the 
cause already explained, they have not increased up to the present time. 

Shipbuilding must also become an important branch of industry in this 
section of the Province; the facilities for carrying it on, as regards both 
the cheapness and durability of the material, and convenience of situation, 
cannot be surpassed by any other part of the Colony. 

The writer during the autumn of 1854, saw a ship built at Dalhousie, 
by the Hon. John Montgomery, of 1000 tons burthen, the character of 
whose timbers, together with that in the ship-yard, would amply satisfy 
any person of the value of the native timber of this district for shipbuild- 
ing operations. 

No. Tons. 

Ships built in 1854, 4 4,000 

This appears to be about the average amount of tons annually built in the 
county for the last four years. 

Sterling. 
Imports in 1852 £27,516 18 1 

Exports " 32,286 13 1 

Registered tonnage of shipping 21.249 tons* 

Navigated by 956 men 

Imports in 1853 • £30,476 17 3 

Exports " 25,363 19 2 

Registered tonnage of shipping 18,217 tons* 

Navigated by 677 men 

Education. — By the census of 1851, this county exceeded, in the num- 
ber of children attending grammar school, the counties of Albert, Char- 
lotte, King's, Queen's, Sunbury, Victoria, and Westmoreland. One of 
the reasons for this honorable distinction in favor of Restigouche, may be 
that the inhabitants of some of the counties last named, possess the advan- 
tage of sending their children to other educational institutions, thus re- 
ducing the number of those who attend the common grammar schools of 
their respective counties. The number of children w r ho attended parish 
schools — 

In 1821, was 611 School houses 19 

In 1853 568 " 22 

So that while there is an increase of school houses, there appears to be a 
diminuation of attendance ; which is more likely to be attributable to some 
inaccurracy in the returns than to any laxity of the action of the inha- 
bitants in favor of education. 

The inhabitants of this county are principally composed of English, Irish, 
and Scotch and their descendants. 



"This is exclusive of new ships built in this county during these years. 



193 



1851. — Population, and other Statistics of Restigouche County. 





Parishes. 




Adding- 
ton. 


Col- 
borne. 


Dalhou- 
sie. 


Dur- 
ham. 


Eldon. 


Totals. 


Inhabitants, * 


1,147 


659 


1,403 


871 


81 


4,161 


Families, 


145 


97 


228 


142 


16 


628 


Children at school, 


94 


143 


182 


207 


18 


644 


School houses, * 


3 


4 


7 


5 




19 


Births, 


24 


26 


9 


33 


2 


94 


Deaths, 


10 


6 


11 


9 




36 


Sick and infirm, 


5 


31 


10 


9 


1 


56 


Acres of land cleared, 


1,694 


2,228 


2,186 


2,494 


293 


8,895 


Places of worship, 


2 


2 


2 






6 


Saw milk, 


1 


3 


1 


1 




6 


Grist mills, 


1 


2 








3 


Agriculturists, 


75 


66 


110 


127 


16 


394 


Tons of hay, 


935 


603 


803 


831 


15S 


3,330 


Wheat, bnshels, 


958 


852 


2,464 


2,098 


54 


6,426 


Barley, " 


678 


617 


871 


597 


10 


2,773 


Oats, " 


8,693 


12,221 


8,760 


16,133 


710 


46,517 


Buckwheat, " 


3 


20 




34 




57 


Indian corn," 






3 






3 


Potatoes, 


14,493 


15,555 


5,417 


28,540 


2,126 


66,131 


Peas and beans, 












1,134 


Turnips, 












14,359 


Other roots, 












202 



Comparison. 



Population, 

Families, 

Places of worship, 

Saw mills, 

Grist mills, 

Cleared land, 

Horses, 

Neat cattle, 

Sheep, 

Swine, 



1851, 
1840, 


4,161 
3,161 


1851, 
1840, 


628 
462 


1851, 
1840, 


6 
4 


1851, 
1840, 


6 
6 


1851, 
1840, 


3 
3 


1851, 
1840, 


8,895 
5,579 


1851, 
1840, 


527 
426 


1851, 
1840, 


2,072 
1,118 


1851, 
1840, 


3,026 

1,698 


1851, 
1840, 


1,055 
1,325 



i Increase in 11 years, 


1,000. 


t tt tt 


166. 


f tt it 


2. 


\ a a 


0. 


t a a 


0. 


t tt tt 


3,316. 


f a tt 


101. 


\ tt n 


954. 


t tt tt 


1,328. 


> Decrease " 


270. 



COUNTY OF GLOUCESTER. 



Boundaries. — " The county of Gloucester, bounded northerly by the 
Bay of Chaleur, easterly by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, southerly and wes- 

27 



194 

terly by the line run north eighty-eight degrees west by Deputy Davidson, in 
the year 1845, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, at the rear of the first di- 
vision of Lots, in the Tracadie Grant, until it strikes Portage river, thence 
north twenty-two degrees west by the magnet, of the year " 1784," to in- 
tersect the line of Restigouche, and thence along the southerly and easterly 
bounds thereof to the Bay Chaleur, including Miscou and Shippegan, and 
all the other adjacent islands." 

Area and Civil Divisions. — This county contains an area of 1,037,440 
acres, out of which 332,002 are granted; and by the census of 1851, it 
appeared that 19,312 acres were cleared. It is divided by statute into five 
parishes, though by the Census returns there are 6 parochial divisions, the 
island of Shippegan being called one, which, with the other islands, proper- 
forms a part of the Parish of Caraquette Saumarez is the most south 
easterly parish of the county on the St. Lawrence side. New Bandon includes 
the Waterloo and New Bandon Settlements ; Bathurst lies in the centre of 
the County and contains Nipsiguit, Middle, Little, and Tetagouche rivers, 
together with the towns of Bathurst (the shire town) and St. Peter's. The 
Parish of Beresford is the most north-western of the county. The whole 
contained, in 1851, a population of 11,704. 

Roads, Settlements and quality of land. — The roads from the eastern 
boundary along the Gulf shore, crosses Big Tracadie, Little Tracadie and 
Pokemouche rivers, in its course to the Bay Chaleur. The banks of the 
Big Tracadio are inhabited for about five miles from its mouth, those of Lit- 
tle Tracadie for three miles, and of Pokemouche for ten miles. The land 
is generally good and well cultivated ; and roads branch from the main line 
up the vallies of these rivers as well as to the seaboard. 

The islands of Shippegan, Miscou, Pokesadi and Caraquette, are situate 
at the easterly entrance to the Bay Chaleur. Miscou is about twenty miles 
in circumference, is principally granted, and has about ten families on it. 
Shippegan is about twenty miles long, and contains but poor land ; it is 
partially settled by French, who live by fishing for the Jersey House, Wil- 
liam Freeing and Co., whose principal station is on the Canadian side of the 
Bay. The Legislature has now, 1855, granted £1,200 for the erection of 
a light-house and a keeper's building on Miscou Island. Salt-grass and 
other wild hay groes around some of these islands, which when harvested, 
is found to make good fodder for cattle and sheep. 

The land from St. Simon's Inlet to Pokemouche river, is a boggy barren, 
the frontier only being settled , but on the banks of the river there is some 
of good quality, and a considerable extent of alluvial soil ; this tract is well 
farmed by people principally from Ireland. Pokesadi Island has only one 
settler on it. Around Point Mizenet the soil is poor and but thinly settled. 
A road runs from Caraquette through the Waterloo and New Bandon Set- 
tlements to Janesville, along which the land is generally good, and in the 
rear there is a succession of excellent settlements, principally inhabited by 
French and Irish ; these people are comfortably circumstanced, getting 
their Mving chiefly from their farms ; and similar settlements extend along 
the Bay up to Bass river. From thence to the Nepisiquit river the land has 
been granted in large tracts to parties who, as is too often the case, in other 
parts of the Province, appear to hold it for no other purpose than to retard its 
settlement, waiting till its value shall be increased by the improvements made 
by others in their immediate neighborhood, a course which cannot be too 
highly deprecated as most injurious to the advancement of a new country. 



195 

Nipisiquit river is settled for upwards of three miles, or to the head of 
the tide or rough waters ; the land above this point is generally poor and 
unfit for cultivation. The road crosses this river at a bridge recently built 
which is 300 yards across, and is an excellent structure. At this point is 
the junction of the road running through the settlements already described, 
with the post road from Chatham to the Restigouche ; the land along the 
latter is generally poor and of a dry hungry character. After crossing this 
brigde, to the westward, we enter the town of Bathurst, which is neat and 
well laid out, containing a population of about 750 ; it stands on a penin- 
sula protruding into the Bathurst harbor to within three miles of the Bay 
Chaleur, and which is elevated about thirty feet above high water mark. 
On the east the town is bounded by the Nipisiquit, and on the west by Lit- 
tle and Middle rivers, which have their junction about half a mile above the 
town. 

Although the writer visited this section of the Province in the autumn of 
1854, it was found difficult to obtain a sufficient amount of information to 
enable him to lay before the public a full impartial and detailed statement of 
the capabilities of this county. We are therefore indebted to several friends 
for the materials of this section and especially to Henry W. Baldwin, Esq., 
who says, with reference to Bathurst, that, " the site of the shire town was 
chosen by Sir Howard Douglas, who visited it in 1818, and it was laid out 
in the following year when it received the name in honor of Earl Bathurst. 

The land to the southward is undulating and well situated for the exten- 
sion of the town, which as the capital of the county, contains its public 
buildings, consisting of a Court House, Jail, Post Office, Record Office, 
Probate Court, and two places of worship, Episcopalian and Methodist, also 
numerous neat cottages and stores as well as two ship yards. This place 
possesses many advantages ; it is situated at the head of a harbor, perfectly 
free from rocks and in which vessels drawing 13 feet of water may enter 
and lie with safety ; it is surrounded by good agricultural settlements with 
ample space for their extension ; it has a fine bay and river fishery, with 
streams penetrating an immense forest of spruce, pine, hacmatac, and va- 
rious other kinds of timber, and the neighborhood can boast a variety of 
mineral deposits, with good roads leading east and west ; so that it appears 
morally certain that in process of time, this handsome little town must be- 
come a place of considerable importance. 

Little and Middle rivers are spanned on the westward and nearly opposite 
Dalhousie by a bridge, which is about half a mile in length, and supported 
by forty- six abutments ; the former river is located for four or five miles 
upwards with some scattered settlements, and where the land is not rocky, 
it is found very productive. At the west end of this bridge a thriving and 
commercial little village has grown up, formerly known as u the village," 
but which has recently assumed the name of St. Peter's, it has a ship-yard, 
steam saw mill, and Presbyterian and Roman Catholic places of wt. ip, 
together with a number of stores and cottages, and presents on the whole, a 
business like aspect, bidding fair to rival its older neighbour, Bathurst, at 
at the other end of the bridge. St. Ann's Settlement extends for ten miles 
up the Tetagouche River, and St. Peter's and Grand Brook, are both set- 
tled for about five miles. The front lands from Bathurst to the County of 
Restigouche are occupied principally by descendants from the Acadian French, 
who follow the threefold professions ot lumbermen, fishermen &n& agriculture 
im } and no doabt spoil the whole. The character of the ml througu this dif- 



196 

trict, for road making, is generally light and dry, and cannot be surpassed, 
so that when roads are once made they are very durable and the heaviest 
expence incurred is in the erection of bridges. 

Rivers and Streams. — This, like the other maritime counties of the Pro- 
vince, has its full share of water communications. Beginning with Big 
Tracadie river, on the eastern boundary of the county, which extends to the 
road from Miramichi to Bathurst, and with its tributories, waters, a consi- 
derable tract of wilderness land. Leach river is not extensive ; Little Tra- 
cadie is small ; and Pokemouche a sluggish running stream. Caraquette, 
Little and Big Pokesham and Bass rivers are inconsiderable. The River 
Nipisiquit is the most extensive in this County, but is not navigable even 
for small schooners for more than three miles, or to the rough waters ; from 
thence it is twenty miles to the falls, and ninety miles to a lake of the 
same name, in which it has its source. Pursuing the coast from its mouth 
to Belldune, the northwest extremity of the county, we come to Little, 
Middle, and Tatagouche rivers, neither of which are navigable, except for 
boats, barges and raft3. 

Agricultural facilities. — The character of the land in this county is not 
so good for agricultural operations as that of Restigouche ; a large tract in 
its southern portion, being a lumbering district, suffered severely from the 
ravages made by the " Miramichi" fire, and other subsequent conflagrations ; 
the land, as a whole, is of a light, dry and hungry cast, except along the 
seaboard, and on the margins of its rivers and streams ; that on the Nipi- 
siquit, however, and its branches, is principally poor and unfit for farming. 
Still, exclusive of the frontier lands, most of which are granted, there are 
two blocks of good land, highly fit for settlement, still vacant The first 
tract lies to the southwest of Dunlop and the other settlements between Ba- 
thurst harbor and Belldune, and is, it is believed, capable of receiving 
from six to eight hundred settlers without difficulty ; it is well watered by 
the many streams traversing the wilderness, and if a road were opened 
from Bathurst to Campbelton at the head of Bay Chaleur, it would pass 
through and open this tract to the plough of the settler, besides shortening 
the distance between those towns. The second tract of land adapted for 
cultivation, and still ungranted, embraces the heads of the Tracadie, Poke- 
mouche and Bass rivers, and of Bed Pine Brook, a branch of the Nipisi- 
quit. This extensive block could be opened by a road from New Bandon, 
at the Capes, to the head of the Pokemouche, and by another from Cara- 
quette River to an intersection of the post road from Bathurst to Miramichi, 
at about twelve miles from the former place. These two roads would pre- 
pare the way for the introduction of several hundred families. 

Minerals. — Though coal has been discovered in several localities in this 
county, still the existence of a marketable seam is much questioned. With 
reference to this subject, Mr. Baldwin says, "the circumstance of coal 
being found in rather considerable quantities along this shore, at the foot 
of the Capes of New Bandon, caused an English Company to expend a large 
sum of money in boring in different localities to try and discover the exis- 
tence of a scam fit to work," he proceeds, " they have bored in five or six 
different place3 between the Caraquette and Nipisiquit rivers, to the depth 
of 350 feet, but found only a two or three inch seam of coal.-' He fur- 
ther says that, " Mr. Logan, the Canadian Geologist, expressed an opinion 
that coal existed in the vicinity, but it was probable it crept out in the bay 
which must account for the fragments coming on shore." As to the exis- 



197 

tence in this county, of various mineral and fossiliferous substances to some 
extent, it is only necessary for conviction to examine Mr. Baldwin's collec- 
tion, which is selected principally from the county of Gloucester ; and it 
would be well if every county in the Province possessed some person or 
persons possessed of his taste for collecting the curious and the useful in 
a Geological point of view. 

Manganese has been discovered in Saint Peter's Brook and Tetagouche 
river. Detached pieces of copper have been found on the Nepisiquit, about 
a mile above its mouth, where it is mixed with the red sandstone at this 
spot. For the working the ores on both these rivers, a company was 
organized in 1837, called "the Gloucester Mining Company," who ex- 
pended a large amount of money without receiving a remunerative result, 
though large quantities of ore were shipped to England. Still it is believed 
by many that a lode of copper exists not far from the scene of their 
operations on the Nipisiguit river, and hopes are yet entertained of ascer- 
taining its position. 

Limestone has been found both above and below Elm-tree Brook, on the 
Bay Chaleur, in great abundance, and of every variety ; it is highly fossil- 
iferous. Marble is also plentifully met with. Dr. Gesner, in his last re- 
port, page 77, states that "the white marl of Gloucester and Bestigouche 
will burn into quick lime. Care must be taken in the employment of stony 
marl, as the lime it contains, when applied in too large a quantity, will des- 
troy vegetation altogether." On page 79, he proceeds : — "There are sev- 
eral kinds of impure limestone, which afford, upon being burnt, hydraulic 
cement, or lime that will harden under water. Some of the limestone near 
the Presq'isle, Belledune Point, and near Dumaresque's farm, at Dalhou- 
sie, are of this variety. At present, all the hydraulic cement used in this 
Province is imported from the States, whereas it might be manufactured in 
the Province." On page 81, the Doctor further states that "an elegant 
marble may be obtained near Petit Boche" or Little Bock, near Elm- tree 
Brook, "in the county of Gloucester. The prevailing color of the rock is 
white, which graduates into buff- colored, green and gray. * * * Ma- 
chinery might be erected on some of the streams, and the marble might be 
sawed and polished, when it would equal in beauty the Verde Antique of 
any other part of the world." Thus, this geologically interesting region 
contains limestone, marl, marble, and manganese. 

Grindstone quarries run along the coast of the New Bandon settlement, 
about twenty miles to the eastward of Bathurst, ranging from 100 to 120 
feet above the level of the sea. These quarries are extensive, and of a very 
superior quality. They have given employment, for a season, to about 100 
men, and from eight to ten cargoes are annually shipped to the United 
States ; so that the mineral character of the county, commercially consider- 
ed, stands high, notwithstanding the reputed absence of iron and coal. 

Fisheries. — And as to its piscatory facilities, Gloucester is not exceeded 
by any county of the Province, either in variety, quality, or opportunities 
for taking and preserving fish. Its bays and rivers team with salmon, cod, 
pollock, mackarel, haddock, halibut, bass. gaspereaux ; eels, trout, lobsters, 
oysters, and both spring and fall herrings. On the Canada side of the Bay 
Chaleur are the well known establishments of the "Jersey Houses," which 
gives employment to a large fleet of fishing craft, as well as to many sailors 
and curers, &c. They have several minor establishments, at Shippegan and 
other places, along the north-eastern coast of this county. 



198 

The salmon fishery at Janesville, the gaspereaux at Pokemouche, and the 
herring fishery at Tracadie, can hardly be surpassed. The Jersey firm deal 
principally in codfish, of which they are excellent curers, and which they 
send to ports in the Mediterranean and in South America. There is also a 
good fishing establishment at Grand Ance. 

The boats of Caraquette are constructed in the most approved manner, 
as regards model, durability, capacity and strength. A fleet of these ves- 
sels, when viewed from the shore, as they return from their fishing opera- 
tions during the season, present a most beautiful sight. 

The average quantity of fish exported from this county alone, separate 
from that, from the opposite shore of the Bay, ib as follows : 

Codfish, haddock and ling, 25,000 quintals. 

Herrings, 15 ; 000 barrels. 

Gaspereaux, or ale wives, 4,000 " 

Salmon, 200,000 pounds, equal to 1,000 " 

Besides mackarel, trout, eels, and other fish. 

The salmon are, for the most part, packed in tins, and sent to the United 
States and to England ; the herrings are improving in quality every year. 

Commercial Resources. — Lumber, grindstones, and fish, are the staple 
articles of export. As pine of sufficient size for squared timber is becom- 
ing scarce, sawed lumber, deals, battens, &c, are now the principal articles. 
This trade will, no doubt, continue as long as the prices warrant the operations 
of the lumberer, as the quantities of timber are almost unlimited, and we have 
already noticed the facilities afforded by the innumerable rivers and streams. 

Ship-building. — There is every opportunity for carrying on this branch 
of industry, both as regards the quality of the timber, and facilities for pro- 
curing it. The annual amount of the tonnage of ships built averages about 
6000 tons. 

Mails — Three mails per week pass through Bathurst, St. Peter's, Dal- 
housie, Campelton, and the other principal settlements of Gloucester and 
Restigouche, with many intermediate way offices. There is also a postal 
communication between Campelton and Quebec. Thus the post office ar- 
rangements afford all the commercial advantages enjoyed by the older and 
more populous towns of the Province. Considering the length of a nearly 
unsettled road from Chatham to Bathurst, (forty-four miles,) and the great 
depth of snow that falls during the winter season, it may be a question whe- 
ther it would not be more economical to extend the line of electric telegraph 
through these northern towns to Campelton, with a view to its ultimate 
extension to Quebec, and to have only one or two mails in the week. The 
commercial part of the community would, of course, be the best judges of 
the conveniences this plan would afford them. 

Education. — A County. Grammar School is established in the town of 
Bathurst, which was attended, in 1851, by forty-five pupils , and in the 
same year, the parish schools of the county boasted no less than 881 scho- 
lars in thirty-one school houses. In 1858, the county contained thirty-five 
school houses, attended by 1,167 pupils ; shewing an increase of four school 
houses, and 286 pupils, — a convincing proof that the people are becoming 
alive to the benefits arising from education. 

Sporting. — The Bay of Chaleur and its affluents present the sportsman 
both with abundance and variety of aquatic fowls. "Wild geese, brant, and 
every variety of ducks, will afford him ample amusement with hig gun, 
while the finny tribe will give full employment to the hook and line. 



199 



1851. — Population, and other Statistics of Gloucester County. 





Parishes. 




Bath- 
urst. 


Beres- 
ford 


Cara- 
quette 


New 
Ban- 
don. 


Sau- 
marez 


Ship- 
pigan. 


Totals. 


Inhabitants, 


2,913 


2.048 


1,795 


1,144 


2,377 


1,427 


11,704 


Families, 


456 


'327 


304 


202 


363 


203 


1,855 


Children at school, 


357 


128 


90 


232 


47 


72 


926 


School houses, 


11 


5 


3 


7 


2 


3 


31 


Births, 


131 


80 


96 


81 


51 


77 


516 


Deaths, 


20 


17 


24 


3 


21 


7 


92 


Sick and infirm, 


12 


49 


67 


4 


30 


6 


168 


Agriculture, persons employed in 


275 


270 


270 


183 


289 


111 


1,398 


Places of worship, 


5 


3 


2 


4 


2 


3 


19 


Saw mills, 


2 


2 


1 






1 


6 


Grist mills, 


q 


3 


4 


2 


1 


2 


14 


Acres of land cleared, 


4,921 


3,392 


2,685 


3,193 


3,923 


1,198 


19,312 


Tons of hay, 


2,000 


'932 


820 


747 


1,698 


638 


6,835 


Bushels of wheat, 


3,543 


2,934 


4,718 


4,381 


5,263 


2,756 


23,595 


" bjrley, 


1,501 


2,056 


1,079 


1,007 


1,631 


804 


8,078 


" oats, 


16,764 


16,798 


2,522 


6,673 


8,728 


1,520 


153,005 


" buckwheat, 


696 


459 






81 




1,236 


" Indian corn, 


10 


1,376 


437 




301 


99 


2,223 


" potatoes, 


52,369 


43,935 


62,870 


30,570 


79,215 


45,488 


314,447 


11 peas and beans, ' 














1,258 


" turnips & other roots, 














15,477 



Population, 

Families, 

Inhabited houses, 

Places of worship, 

Grist mills, 

Saw mills, 

Cleared land, 

Horses, 

Neat Cattle, 

Sheep, 

Swine, 



Comparison 


1851, 


11,704 


\ 


1840, 


7,751 


1851, 


1,855 


I 


1840, 


1,193 


1851, 


1,619 


\ 


1840, 


1,085 


1851, 


19 


\ 


1840, 


12 


1851, 


14 


\ 


1840, 


18 


1851, 


6 


\ 


1840, 


7 


1851, 


19,312 


\ 


1840, 


11,681 


1851, 


1,174 


\ 


1840, 


811 


1851, 


3,980 


\ 


1840, 


3,219 


1851, 


8,552 


\ 


1840, 


6,236 


1851, 


3,817 


\ 


1840, 


3,643 



Increase in 


11 years, 


3,953. 


<( 


«< 


662. 


ci 


(< 


534. 


(< 


M 


7. 


Decrease 


(( 


4. 


<< 


it 


1. 


Increase 


<< 


7,631. 


a 


a 


363. 


a 


u 


761. 


<< 


It 


2,316. 


«< 


it 


174. 



200 



Recapitulatory Sketch of the Bay Chaleur. 



If in our excursion through the counties intersected by the river Saint 
John, the mind was presented with beauty, variety and wealth, it can hard- 
ly be less so, if, at the expense of a little repetition, we take a similar review 
of the beauty, wealth and diversification afforded to us by the Bay Chaleur, 
or Bay of Heats. 

In entering the Bay at Miscou Island, which is eighteen miles from Point 
Maquereau, on the Canadian side, we first pass that island with its associates, 
and the numerous inlets, rivers, and capes, with their various settlements 
and towns already described in the counties of Gloucester and Restigouche. 
Opposite the harbor of Bathurst the Bay widens to the extent of twenty- 
seven miles, and again contracts as we approach the town of Dalhousie, 
to a width of eight miles. At this place, which may almost be deemed 
the mouth of the Restigouche River it narrows somewhat suddenly to two 
miles, and above the town spreads again to a width of four miles, forming a 
noble estuary to the magnificent river, at whose mouth we have thus ar- 
rived. These two counties, forming theso uthern shore of the Bay, con- 
tain a population of not less than 18,000 souls. On the north, or Ca- 
nadian side, after noticing Great and Little Pabos, two harbors abounding 
with the favorite bait for Codfish. We pass Port Daniel, and the embouch- 
ures of the Bonaventure, Cascapediac and numerous other rivers and 
streams, which, taking their rise among the hills of Lower Canada, wind 
through fertile vales, hereafter to be studded with villages, but even now 
possessing many settlements with manufactories of timber, and thriving 
fishery establishments, shewing them that the hand of industry and enter- 
prize is at work even in these remote, and as they have been erroneously 
called, desert regions. We must not forget that the first settlement made, 
within the grasp we are now taking, was on the site of Bathurst, by Jean 
Jacques Enard, a native of Basque, in France, as early as the year 1639. 

Ascending the inner Bay, from Dalhousie upwards, in which there is 
room and depth of water for the collected navy of England, we approach 
Point Le Gard, and Battery Point, where, in 1760, during the wars be- 
tween England and France, the latter nation had erected two batteries, which 
were destroyed by Captain Byron, the commander of an English Squadron, 
together with a " Frigate, two large store ships, and nineteen sail of smaller 
vessels, the principal part of which had been taken from the English." At 
this place the mind is carried nearly a century back into the past, to the time 
when these two powerful nations, now happily for the future peace of the 
world, and for themselves, in close alliance, were each in turn contending 
for a country then a comparative wilderness, and thus causing destruction 
and desolation to the life and property of peaceable citizens, who, for the 
sake of a livelihood, had taken up their residence on the most eligible parts 
of the North American Continent ; and we can hardly avoid being struck 
with the conviction that the statesmen of those days must have entertained 
far more adequate ideas of the value of these regions than the cabinet min- 
isters of England nearer our own times. 

In our further ascent to the head of the tide, a distance, in all, of 110 
miles from the Miscou island, we pass Campbellton, and a line of settle- 
ments flanking both sides of the Restigouche, the towering Sugar Loaf ris- 
ing within cannon shot, besides unnumbered other lofty mountains and 
hills, penetrating the air like cones, in the distance, and bearing evident 



201 

marks of being a branch of the Alleghany chain ; the whole chequered and 
enlivened with extensive vales of rich soil covered where the hand of man 
has not been at work with a fine growth of luxuriant timber, A short dis- 
tance above Campellton, we come to the "Mission Point," the largest 
remnant, as we before observed, of the Micmac tribe, who with other Indian 
nations, once figured largely in all the wars on this continent. We look 
back in imagination to the time when no European resided in North Ameri- 
ca, and the red man of the forest was its sole master and imperfect cultiva- 
tor ; and now how changed is its aspect ! the savage racss are subdued and 
become humble, and their posterity, so far as they remain among us, are 
here fast entering the ranks of civilization, while peace, prosperity, and 
knowledge are assuming their proper place, and establishing their 
reign. 

Continuing our ascent, we pass on our left Althol House, the residence 
of Robert Ferguson, Esq., who was the first British Settler on the Besti- 
gouche ; and whose numerous buildings and extensive agricultural improve- 
ments evidently shew that industry, energy, and enterprize, will not be un- 
rewarded. At the termination of our voyage, and on the north bank of tho 
Restigouche, stood the French Town of Petit Rochelle, which contained 
over two hundred houses, and was destroyed, and its inhabitants scattered 
into the wilderness by that memorable fleet we have before had occasion to 
mention. Numerous relics of former times are occasionally discovered, 
such as muskets, pistols, swords, and ammunition, along with various arti- 
cles of a culinary nature, even silver knives, forks and spoons ; the foun- 
dations of houses and forts may still be traced. 

Thus it will be seen that this bay is, in itself, one of the most splendid in 
North America. Its head waters and tributories are thus spoken of bj Mr. 
H. Perley, Esq., in his fishery Report, (page 75.) u The Restigouche is 
about two hundred and twenty miles in length, and it has four large tribu- 
taries, each more than sixty miles long ; with its numerous affluents, it is 
supposed to drain more than six thousand square miles of territory." In 
terminating our observations on this county, replete with objects of attrac- 
tion and curiosity, we are led seriously to acknowledge that there are few 
districts on this part of the American Continent, embracing such a wild and 
varied field for the operations of the capitalists. If he desires to pursue 
commerce, here are abundant facilities ; the sea teeming with every variety 
of the most profitable kinds of fish — the bowels of the earth containing 
valuable mineral deposits — and the forests amply supplying every descrip- 
tion of timber, with all the necessary water privileges for procuring and 
manufacturing it. And if agriculture should be the object of his choice, 
here is an extensive region of country, consisting of a soil highly productive 
of agricultural wealth to almost any amount — so that agriculture and com- 
merce might go hand in hand, uniting their efforts, and rendering a peace- 
able, industrious and energetic people happy and prosperous. 

COUNTY OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 

Boundaries. — "The County of Northumberland, bounded northerly by 
Gloucester and Restigouche ; west by Victoria and York ; south by York 
and Sunbury, and the line run from Point Escuminac, south seventy de- 
grees and forty-five minutes west, forty- eight miles, thence south fifty- one 
degrees west, twenty-three and a half miles by Deputies Layton and Lad- 

28 



202 

ler, in the years of our Lord 1842 and 1845 ; easterly by the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence, including all the islands adjacent thereto." 

General Description. — The principal part of this county, previously to the 
great fire of the 7th October, 1825, was a lumbering region, and had been 
the scene of operations of this nature for a great number of years : thus, 
from the quantity of fallen timber and refuse wood remaining on the ground, 
it was prepared for the wide spread of such a conflagration. Here we may 
describe, at one general sweep, almost the whole country, from within a 
short distance of the Gulf shore, and the head of the Tabusintac river, 
thence nearly to the Falls of the Nipissiquit, and from that vicinity in the 
direction of the Tobique liver, and nearly to its head, and in another diiec- 
tion, beginning at the mouth of the Miramichi river, embracing both its 
banks, and extending, in some places, beyond the present limits of the coun- 
ty to the iXaahwaak river, in the county of York, thus comprehending, in 
the whole, nearly 4,000,000 acres of the best lumbering region in the Pro- 
vince, as the remaining trunks of half burnt pines, which are every whore 
visible, towering above the more recent under growth, will amply testify. 

Here, "at one fell swoop," was the face of this vast tract of country 
deprived, in many places, of all the nutriment afforded to its trees and 
plants, by the decayed vegetable matter, the accumulations of previous cen- 
turies, and the soil, which is naturally dry, and without much alluvial depo- 
sits, was left in a poor and parched up state, unfit to produce any thing for 
the support either of men or cattle. 

Besides the desolation thus produced on the surface of the county, by its 
being deprived of its surface vegetable, mould and alluvial matter, there 
was the still more useful destruction of human life to relate, as well as an 
enormous amount in animals and other property. 
The number who lest their lives, as nearly as could 

be ascertained, was 160 persons, 

Buildings destroyed 595 

Cattle " 875 

Value of personal property burnt £227,713 13 6 

Towards replacing the losses of the sufferers there 
was contributed by New Brunswick, Nova Sco- 
tia, Canada, United States, and Great Britain £39,259 7 10 
The destruction to the forests of the Country was 

estimated at £500,000 

The salmon and other fish in the rivers were killed by the heat imparted 
to the waters ; and the bears and other wild animals subdued into tameness, 
and made to forsake their ferocity, and to take up their abode along the 
margins of the streams, in company with man, and the domestic animals of 
the country. The greater part of the various isolated settlers, with their 
families and property were destroyed, and many of the lumbermen, who, of 
course, were surrounded with resinous plants, and with trees and fallen 
timber, a ready fuel ^o the flames, became a prey to the devouring elements, 
from which the only means left for escape was to flee "to the river." 

Leaving this melancholy scene, unparalleled in the history of the colonies, 
and viewing this region after an interval ot twenty-nine years, we find it 
principally covered with a foliage of the hard-wood cla^s. (which generally 
spring up on the removal of soft-wood) consisting of white and grey birch, 
and poplar, interspread occasionally with groves of beech, birch, maple, and 
other similar species, a class of wood not so favorable to the ravages of fire. 



203 

It may here be observed that the decayed leaves of these trees, annually 
falling to the ground, become manure, and tend to enrich the soil ; while 
those of the pine, spruce, and other soft wood varieties, do not add much, if 
any thing, to its agricultural produce — supporting qualities. Hence the 
land, which was formerly principally covered with the last named species of 
timber, being stript by fire, in some places, almost to its subsoil, is now man- 
tled with a growth of trees of the average height of about thirty feet, and 
will no doubt, if these are allowed to attain the size of forest timber, be- 
come much better fitted for agricultural operations, than it ever has been 
hitherto, at least for many past centuries. We know of no section of equal 
extent to this, or of the contiguous Province of Nova Scotia, so little diver- 
sified by hills, although it is undulating with alluvial vallies between its 
ridges ; the soil being naturally dry and light, so that no impediment except 
the streams, was offered to the ravages of the fire. 

Area^ Civil Divisions, and Population.— This county, the largest in 
the Province, contains an area of 2,980,000 acres, being sufficiently large for 
three counties; and if it were so divided, each would, we have no doubt, from 
its compactness, make greater advances in the aggregate, than the whole 
now does as one over extensive and inconvenient county. Of this area, 
986,168 acres are granted, consequently, there are 1,993,832 still vacant; 
and out of this amount there were, in 1851, only 30,221 acres of cleared 
land, leaving the immense extent of 2.949,779 acres still in a wilderness state. 

Northumberland is divided by the Census re+urns into nine parishes, which 
division we follow in our statistical tables at the end of our description of 
the resources of the county. But by 14 Vict., chap. 6, a new parish, de- 
signated Hardwicke, was laid off from the parish of Glenelg. North of 
the latter parish, is the parish of Chatham, containing the town of the 
same name ; and above these parishes, on the Miramichi river, follow in 
their order, and bounded by lines crossing the river in a south easterly di- 
rection, the several parishes of Nelson, Blackville, Blissjield, and Lud- 
lexo ; on the north west side of the river, is the parish of Northesk, com- 
prehending the front of the four named, and indeed, about one half of the 
area of this large county. Below Northesk, and on the river, is situate the 
parish of Newcastle, which embraces the towns of Douglas-town and New- 
castle, the latter being the shire town ; and abutting on Newcastle to the 
eastward is the parish of Alnwick ; making in all ten sub-divisions. 
The population of this county, in 1840, was 14,620 

And in 1851, 15,064 

Being an increase of only 444 in eleven years ; while it appears by the 
census that the births amounted to 450 in one year. This county, in this 
respect, certainly presents an anomaly, as compared with all the others in 
the Province. The county of King's, with a less population, increased 
4,378, while Restigouche ha3 far exceeded this proportion within the same 
period. These figures confirm our previously obtained ideas of the agri- 
cultural capabilities of Northumberland ; they shew that the increase or 
decrease in its population depends on the fluctuations of lumbering and ship- 
building, and not on its agricultural operations. At the time the last cen- 
sus was taken, both^these branches of industry were in a very depressed 
state ; so that we are satisfied, from the fresh impetus recently given to 
these pursuits, along with the attention recently pajd to agriculture, that 
the permanent popnhtion would, at the pmmt tlsss^ »b$w » tefrfM pr$* 
pdmu&l increase to ifc&t appearing m w eti&m 



204 

Rivers and Streams. — The Miramichi river, the third, in point of mag- 
nitude, in the Province, has its rise in the eastern part of the county of 
Victoria. Its affluents, which are numerous and extensive, drain all parts 
of the surrounding counties ; at a distance of thirty-five miles from its 
mouth, it branches into two great streams, known, respectively, as the [North- 
west and Southwest Miramichi, and these again subdivide into a great num- 
ber of minor tributories, too numerous to detail ; literally making the large 
extent of country through which they flow, a net-work of streams, among 
which the Renous river, a northern tributory of the south-west branch, is 
the most considerable, and its navigation is now being much improved. The 
main river is navigable for vessels up to the junction, as are both branches 
for several miles above, and almost all their tributories are also navigable 
by boats and rafts nearly to their sources. Thus the greatest facilities are 
presented for procuring and bringing the riches of the forest to their places 
of shipment. 

The sum of £200 has been awarded, at the last session of the Legisla- 
ture, towards the improvement of the south-west branch of the Miramichi 
Hiver. 

On the north side of the harbor are Bartibogue, Burnt Church, and Ta- 
busintac rivers. The two former are inconsiderable streams ; the latter, 
which is said to take its name from its being " the place of two families or 
persons," has its principal source in the county of Gloucester, and, although 
somewhat extensive, is not navigable, except for boats and rafts. The rivers 
remaining to be noticed are the Kapan, Black, Little Black, and Vin rivers, 
which are all small streams, and fall into Miramichi Bay, on the south 
side of the harbor. Thus the whole county is most advantageously drained 
from front to rear. 

Roads and Settlements extends along the whole sea-board of this coun- 
ty, as well as on the Tabusintac, Burnt Church, and Bartebogue rivers; 
on the first named stream there are some belts of good intervale, and it is 
densely settled ; the two latter are occupied almost to their sources. Xa- 
pan Settlement has good roads, and extends nearly to the head of the river; 
Black, Little Black, and Vin rivers have also roads extending upwards from 
the sea- board, and are settled along their banks, as well as where they are 
intersected by the great road from Richibucto to Chatham. 

The Town of Chatham is situated on the south bank of the Miramichi 
river, twenty-eight miles from its mouth. It is about one mile in length, 
following the meandering} of the river, and with an average width of one 
fifth of a mile ; it stretches along the side of an undulating hill, from the 
top of which a splendid view is obtained of the town, river ships and manu- 
factories. The town has been badly laid out, as the front streets are both 
narrow and winding, and run obliquely to each other ; however, as the new- 
streets in the rear, which are planned with more order and system, become 
filled up, as they have already commenced, with neat public and private 
edifices, the whole will present a more attractive appearance. The parish 
contained, in 1851, a population of 8 r 363 inhabitants, and 500 houses, most 
of which belonged to the town. It includes five places of worship, two 
being Presbyterian, one Episcopalian, one Methodist, f nd one Roman Ca- 
tholic ; also, a Temperance Hall, and Mechanics' Institute, three shipyards, 
six steam saw mills, a printing office, custom house, post office, book "store, 
tannery, and telegraph office, with a branch of the Commercial Bank, and 
a number of neat private cottages ; many of the latter are ornamented with 



205 

shrubberies, and present otherwise an appearance of neatness and taste. 
The principal part of the river's border in front of the town is lined with 
wharves, to which large class vessels can come and receive their loading 

Douglas Town lies on the opposite side of the river, in sight of, and two 
miles above the town of Chatham ; it is also somewhat irregularly laid out, 
but similarly situated with its opposite neighbor, as regards the character 
of the ground, and facilities for its future extension. Large class vessels 
can be loaded at its wharves ; ships are built here, and there are a number 
of stores and private buildings, many of them well constructed. 

On the same side of the river, and four miles higher up. stands the town 
of Newcastle, the head quarters of the county ; it is about one-fourth of 
the size of Chatham, As regards the plot on which it is built, nearly the 
same description will apply as we have given to the two towns last mention- 
ed, except that its streets, though not systematically laid out, are super- 
ior to those of Chatham. Its river frontier is lined with wharves and ship- 
yards, and the parish, including the town, contains four steam saw mills, 
with two more in course of erection ; also, a number of water mills, among 
which is the old and far-famed establishment of the firm of Gilmore and 
Rankin, which, long before steam mills were erected in this section of the 
Province, supplied the markets of Great Britain with large quantities of 
lumber. The town possesses the Court House, Jail, Probate Court, and 
other county requisites, with a number of public and private edifices, 

As the timber and lumbering business, together with ship-buildiDg, have 
hitherto been the principal occupations of the inhabitants of this county, it 
follows that, wherever facilities were offered, along the margins of the rivers, 
for booming, ship-building, the loading of ships, and the erection of mills, 
there the towns we have mentioned, together with others now springing up, 
hare been located ; but if all were amalgamated with the town of Chatham, 
and the whole were well laid out, they would form a city of no inconsider- 
able importance ; as it is, they are scattered along both banks of the river, 
from its mouth to Boistown, a distance of ninety miles ; for this distance 
there are various roads and settlements, but principally confined to the lo- 
calities possessing meadows and tracts of good land. 

The road from Chatham to Fredericton, about 109 miles, runs, for the great- 
er part of the way to Boistown, along the north side of the river ; and a bridge 
is now being erected at the point where it crosses the North-west Arm. 
Settlement is extended up this stream, also, to a spot at which its affluents 
diverge in every direction ; and there is a tract of good land near its junc- 
tion with a stream bearing the name of the Little South-west. 

The Napan river settlement, which is three miles from the town of 
Chatham, is flourishing, and is one of the best in the county. A road is 
being opened from the south-west to the settlements on Grand Lake, which 
will open the intermediate country for settlement. 

Agriculture. — The great body of the land of this county is, at present, 
unfit for agricultural operations ; still, there are some small tracts of second 
class soil, and about 400,000 acres of third-rate quality. Most of this is 
to be found up the rivers and streams, where there is a considerable quan- 
tity still ungranted, and along the sea shore. As roads are being gradual- 
ly opened, these tracts will well repay the industrious settler ; and a large 
number of additional families might be located in these situations with com- 
fort and dispatch. Many of the old farms, too, would be better if divided, 
as in this county, as in other sections of the Province they are generally 



206 

too large for advantageous cultivation ; and thus a fresh stimulus would be 
given to the pursuits of the farmer. Notwithstanding the general charac- 
ter of the soil, however, it has been ascertained, by repeated examples, that 
those who have confined themselves to their farms have lived much more 
comfortably than those who have followed lumbering and fishing, or have 
united the three objects. Numerous instances could be adduced of parties 
having commenced on new farms, and having attained comparative ease, 
being tempted, by the fluctuating wages of the lumber contractor, to aban- 
don their farm — a step which has too often resulted in its loss, and their 
consequent deprivation of a home ; the same persons, after spending years 
of the best portions of their lives in the lumber woods, have sometimes re- 
turned to the abandoned and virtually lost homestead ; have repaired the 
dilapidated buildings — have reclaimed the fields from the encroachments of 
the forest, and, by the exertion of unremitting industry, have, notwithstand- 
ing the accumulation of interest and its compounds, even paid their debts 
and rescued the farm from the iron grasp of the capitalist. Nor are cases 
wanting of some who, spite of the maxim that " a burnt child dreads the 
fire," have even repeated this game, and have been able, by attention to 
the cultivation of the soil, a second time, to regain their property, thus 
twice lost, and ultimately to leave it to their families to enjoy. 

Within the last three years, agricultural pursuits have received a fresh 
stimulus in this county, partly on account of the lumber becoming scarce 
along the margins of the streams, and partly in consequence of the atten- 
tion of the inhabitants being more directly called to this subject, by the es- 
tablishment of an agricultural society. In the report of this society for 
1851-2, are the following pithy remarks relating to the subject we have 
just been discussing, which, though here confined to this county, are equal- 
ly applicable to the Province at large. The passage in question runs thus : 
" The fact is, that our farmers (so called) never before looked upon farming 
as their sole occupation, or that by which they were to sustain themselves 
or their families. There were few of us who could be properly denominated 
farmers ; for, although located on lands known as our properties, farming 
was esteemed by most of us as only a secondary consideration. Some were 
fishing farmers, some were lumbering farmers, and even stevadore,* log- 
ging, or hired-out farmers ; but very few were really and truly farmers, 
and that only. Experience, however, has at length taught us that the real 
farmer is a man whose habits, tastes and duties are so widely different from 
the habits, tastes and duties of the fisherman, lumberman, or stevadore, that 
to couple his business with either of these occupations, is to profit by neither 
of them." 

The reports of this Society show the weight of various kinds of grain, 
exhibited at the annual Meeting, to be as follows : 
Wheat from 64 to 67 pounds per bushel, 
49 " " 

56 " " 



Oats 


11 44 


to 


Barley 


" 54 


to 


Timothy Seed 46 


to 



These weights prove the grain producing capabilities of the county, which 
arc not exceeded either by the United States or Cana'da. 

A reference to the Napan Settlement, already noticed, is a sufficient proof 

rStenvdore, one whose business it is to regulate the placing ot timbee or lumber in 
ships. 



207 

of the advantageous results invariably flowing from agricultural pursuits 
over any others. The inhabitants of this district have adherer! but to one 
calling, agriculture, and they live comfortably, and are in independant cir- 
cumstances ; though this section, together "with other parts of the county, 
have recently suffered much from drought, and the failure of the potatoe 
crop. We have not witnessed, in any part of the Province, so much atten- 
tion paid to the preparation of compost, as in this county ; evidently shew- 
ing that any kind of farming is giving place to scientific agriculture. 

Minerals. — This county is within the coal district of the Province, and 
although its outcrop has been discovered in some places on the a iramichi 
river, yet no attempt has been made even to ascertain its extent. The only 
limestone burnt is that brought by timber ships as ballast, and it is not 
known that there is any to be found in the county. Indeed mineral sub- 
stances of any kind, useful in commercial operations, are said not to con- 
sist in this neighborhood, or it might lather more properly be inferred that, 
in the absence of any proper exploration, the particular localities in which 
they do exist are not known ; for there is no district in the Province of half 
this size, that does not contain some useful mineral suostance. 

Commerce. — -The principal articles of export are lumber, timber, fish, 
and ships. The timber growing character of the county, and the facilities 
afforded for its conveyance and manufacture by its numerous and extensive 
streams, have rendered it the scene of extensive operations of this nature. 
The great quantity of lumber annually manufactured within the county, 
could not be inferred, merely from the number of saw mills it contained in 
1851, being only eighteen, which, however, have much increased since that 
time, but from the fact that over the half of this number are driven by 
steam power, and the principal part of the remainder by powerful water 
wheels. Hence the mills erected on small streams have for years been giv- 
ing way to others capable of greater usefulness, which will account for the 
diminution in the number both of saw and grist mills, shewn in the tables of 
comparison. 

Large pine, out of which square timber is manufactured, is yearly be- 
coming more scarce and difficult to procure : and thence arises the increase 
in the production of sawed lumber, such as deals, battens, boards, lathe- 
wood, &c. 

Ship-building is also a very important branch of industry ; the number 
of vessels built in this county during 1854, amounted to eleven, averaging 
one thousand tons each. 

Fisheries. — The varieties of fish, and the facilities for procuring and 
marketing them, are the same with those enjoyed in common by all the 
Gulf counties. The salmon fishery of the Miramichi, which at no distant 
period of the history of the Country was so abundant, is beginning to be 
considered a matter of history only ; these fish have been taken with so lit- 
tle regard to season, and their places of resort have been so disturbed, that 
very few, comparatively speaking, are now taken at all. Stream driving, 
the letting loose the saw-dust, and other disturbing influences, arising out 
of lumbering operations, are destructive to all river fisheries, but more es- 
pecially to the salmon, the haunts of which require to be protected from 
such annoyances. 

A Society has within the last two years been organized in this county, 
called " The Miramichi Fishing Society," the object of which is declared 
to be " to promote the extension of the river and gulf fisheries, to improve 



208 

the modes of catching, curing, barrelling, and inspecting fish, to procure 
and publish information respecting the fisheries in other counties, and in 
ever j other judicious way to foster and encourage this branch of trade.'' 
(page 10 of its second report.) This Society has done much good already 
by granting premiums on the catching and curing herring, mackarel, cod, 
and other fish ; besides the distribution of the reports, which contain infor- 
mation on this subject well worthy of public attention. 

There were exported from this port in 1853, pickled Salmon, 396 barrels ; 
Basse, 113 bbls. ; Shad, 45 bbls. ; Herrings, 3,728 bbls. ; Alewives, 7,130 
bbls. ; Eels, 20 bbls. ; Oysters, 200 bbls. ; Mackarel, 167 bbls. ; preserved 
Salmon, 162 .500 pounds, and 29,000 pounds of preserved Lobsters. 

Port of Mirimichi. — Value of imports in 1852, £74.665 

exports " 60^962 

" imports in 1853, £117,750 

exports " 78,778 

Increase in imports £43,085 

exports £17,816 

The amount of revenue collected at this port on both imports and exports, 
up to the end of November, 1854, was £11,826. 

The harbors of the northern side of the Province being closed by ice for 
about five months in every year, while those on the southern are open to all 
seasons, except the mouths of the tidal streams, which are only closed for 
about two months, gives to the ports of the Bay of Fundy, a decided ad- 
vantage with regard to commerce. 

Mails ) and other means of transit. — Besides a communication by tele- 
graph to all the principal places in the adjacent Provinces, and the States, 
there are three mails per week from Chatham to Restigouche, Fredericton, 
the Bend, Saint John, and from thence to all parts of the surrounding Co- 
lonies and the United States. 

The Port of Miramichi also, a good harbor, with eighteen feet of water 
in the shallowest part, and situate near the centre of the northern coast of 
the Province, affords every facility for water communication, not only with 
the other British North American Colonies, and the United States, but 
with the ports of Europe ; hence arises its eligibility for the disembarkation 
of such immigrants as may be desirous of settling on the rich lands of 
Kent or Restigouche, or inde:d in other sections of the Province. The Le- 
gislature has, 1855, granted £60 per annum for five years, to encourage a 
steamboat to ply regularly, during the summer season, between the towns of 
Chatham and Newcastle; also legislative encouragement is given towards run- 
ning a Packet between Chatham, Bedeque and Oharlottetown, P. E. Island. 

Education, — This subject has received a fresh impetus within the last 
two years : 

In 1853, there were attending parish schools, 2,304 pupils. 

" 1851, " « « 1,942 " 



Shewing an increase in two years of 362 " 

This increase, though not to be compared to that of some of the other 
counties, exceeds that in several of them, it is larger in proportion to its 
population, than that of the city and county of St. John. The inhabitants of 
this county are principally English, Scotch and Irish, and their descendants. 



203 



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Inhabitants, 

Families, 

Children at school 

School houses, 

Births, 

Deaths, 

Sick and infirm, 

Agriculture, perso 

Places of worship, 

Saw mills, 

Grist mill ', 

Acres of land clea 

Tons of hay, 

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u b rlcy 
" oats, 
44 buckw 
" Indian 
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29 



210 



Comparison. 



Population , 

Families, 

Inhabited houses, 

Places of worship, 

Grist mills, 

Saw mills, 

Land cleared, 

Horses, 

Neat Cattle, 

Sheep, 

Swine, 



1851, 


15,064 


1840, 


14,620 


1851, 


2,282 


1840, 


2,282 


1851, 


2,116 


1840, 


2,037 


1851, 


32 


1840, 


26 


1851, 


13 


1840, 


18 


1851, 


18 


1340, 


33 


1851, 


30,221 


1840, 


25,323 


1851, 


1,628 


1840, 


1,542 


1851, 


8,868 


1840, 


6,003 


1851, 


10,602 


1840, 


8,837 


1851, 


3,397 


1840, 


6,125 



i Increase in 11 years, 

\ - " 



Decrease 



Increase 



Decrease 



444. 

0. 

79. 

6. 

5. 

15. 

4,893. 

86. 

2,865. 

1,765. 

2,728. 



Passing- Observations. — In entering the Miramichi Bay at Point Fs- 
cuminac Light House, we pass Fox, Portage, Egg, Yin, and other islands, 
with which this harbor is beautifully studded, and V:n River, where stood 
the French Village of 1673, Black and Napan rivers, and their line of set- 
tlements and villages on the west, and Burnt Church and Bartibog rivers, 
with a similar extent of settlements stretching out in the distance, on the 
east. The latter river calls to mind the circumstance of its having been 
once the site of an Indian Convention in 1777 or 1778, at which it was de- 
termined to destroy William Davidson, who is said to have been the first 
British Settler in the county, with the few who had afterwards joined him, 
but which was fortunately prevented by the timely arrival of the Viper 
Sloop of War. Ascending from the Middle island, on which phylan- 
thropy has built an asylum for those of our race who are afflicted by a 
foreign contagion, we pass Chatham, Douglas town. Newcast'e, and the 
train of settlements that line both sides of the river, with ships build- 
ing and loading. On reaching Beaubere's Island and Point, so called 
in memory of Pierre Beaubere. the French commander of that place, we 
pass Faucet's Point, and Fort Cove, whereon, as well as on this island, for- 
merly stood French Forts and arsenals, while on Beaubere Point was a 
town containing two hundred houses. Here too we review, retrospectively 
the many scores of years that have elapsed since those pioreers of our coun- 
try, whose labors and improvements, population, supporting and country 
defending, are now left in history s keeping ; and we can scarcely avoid com- 
paring the Miramichi of ancient Acadia, a comparative wilderness, princi- 
pally under the dominion of the redman of the forest, whose race is now 
nearly extinct, with the Miramichi of New Brunswick, possessing a long 
line of thriving settlements, scattered over upwards of seventy miles on 
each side of its noble river, with its agriculture, commerce, schools and 
churches, over the whole of which now reign peace, order and tranquility 
and \\hich afford ample supplies of food both for man and beast 



211 

COUNTY OF KENT. 

"The county of Kent, bounded north by Northumberland, south by 
Queen's, and the line run true west, by Deputy Palmer, in the year 1841, 
from the north end of Shediac Island, and east by the Gulf of St. Law- 
rence, iacluding all the islands adjacent thereto." 

Navigation and Rivers. — This County has a sea coast of 69 miles, and 
about 25 miles of river navigation, the latter accessible to vessels of from 
100 to 150 tons; it is also traversed by numerous streams, among which 
the principal are the Cocagne, Little and Big Buctouche, Richibucto, Al- 
douin, Kouchibouguacis, and Kouchibouquac rivers. At the entrance of the 
Cocagne, the two Buctouche's and the Kichibucto, are good harbors which 
large vessels can enter, passing over the bars with a considerable portion of 
their cargoes ; here we may again observe that all the harbors on the north 
eastern coast are obstructed by sand bars, driven in by storms, which form 
serious impediments to the inland navigation of this valuable section of the 
Province ; however, the removal of the^e bars is now under the consider- 
ation of the Provincial Government ; and, should it be effected, the future com- 
merce of the Gulf harbors will possess an important and decided advantage. 

The Cocagne and Big Buctouche take their rise .in vv estmoreland county, 
and are navigable fur rafts and boats, the former twenty- five and the latter 
for upwards of thirty miles, for ten of which it is capable of receiving Steam- 
boats. The Bichibucto is navigable for river steamers and for rafts and boats 
for upwards of forty miles from its mouth ; it has numerous tributories deep 
enough for rafts for a considerable distance. The other streams extend from 
fifteen to twenty-five miles towards the interior of the county. 

Subdivisions. —The county of Kent contains an area of 1,026 ; 400 acres, 
640,002 of which are still vacant; out of the whole, 35,496 acres had been 
cleared, in 1851 ; it consists of seven parishes, viz : the seaboard beginning 
at the Westmoreland line, is divided into four, Dundas, Wellington, r»ichi- 
bucto, and Carlton; the parish of Weldford lies at the back of Bichibuc- 
to, and all bound on one common rear line ; the two remaining parishes being 
Harcourt in the southern, and Huskisson in the northern part of the county. 

Roads and Settlements — The post road leading from Shediac passes 
near the frontier of the county in a north-east direction ; this line of road 
is densely settled from Shediac to Cocagne, and from thence to Buctouche, 
at both which places villages are springing up, where the business of the sur- 
rounding country is being concentrated. From Buctouche to Richibucto, 
the county town, the land is not so well settled or. the road, but at a short 
distance both to the westward and eastward, settlements are compact ; from 
thence to the county of Northumberland, the land is poor and meagre, and not 
inhabited except on the streams, where there are some thriving settlements; 
along the seaboard also, in the direction of Point Escuminac Lighthouse, 
the land is generally settled. 

The Town of Richibucto, formerly called Liverpool, is situate at the 
head of the harbor of the same name, and on a flat ascending almost imper- 
ceptibly from the front. Its streets are of good width, and laid out nearly 
at right angles to each other, the principal running nearly parallel to the 
harbor ; the town is about three quarters of a mile in length, and contain?, 
besides the public buildings of the county, a telegraph office, Town Hall, 
two places of Worship, Grammar School, two shipyards and a steam saw 
mill, with some very neat 3 tores aad private cottages, 



212 

On the south bank of the mouth of the Richibucto river, and three miles 
from the town, stands the village of Kingston; tbe streets of which are 
systematically laid out. It contains a Town Hall, two places of worship, 
a post office, steam saw mill, and two shipyards, at which, as well as at -.hose 
of Richibucto, large class vessels are built to the average amount of from 
four to six thousand tons per } r ear; and on a point of land about half way 
between these two places, there is a- hospital for sick and disabled seamen. 
The land immediately round these towns is poor, and not capable of repay- 
ing the labors of the agriculturist. 

Roads and settlements extend up both sides of the Cocagne for ten miles, 
along the little Buctouche fur five miles, and on both banks of the big 
Buctouche as far as the Maclocklan Road a distance of fifteen miles. The 
Richibucto River is alio settled on both sides, for thirty miles, in the direc- 
tion of the Beckwith road; an I the Galway, a thriving settlement, extends 
from this river, southerly, neuriy parallel with, and about a mile, from the 
post road. The settlements o;i the Aldouin and the rivers lying between 
Richibucto and Morthumberla^a, do not reach far beyond the post road, the 
land generally not being so good as that on the other rivers we have des- 
cribed. 

The b?st land on tbe post road is that on the frontier of the county, be- 
tween Shediae and Richibucto; though for agricultural purposes, it 1*3 
not equ-il to that on the Richibucto, Buctouche, and Cocagne rivers. 
The soil 13 of a light dry substance, and by no means good land ; 
yet it produces fair crops of wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes, re- 
quiring, however, large supplies of manure to render it productive. From 
its extensive seaboard and numerous livers, as well as from some upland 
deposites of alluvial matter to be found between the undulating hills, 
there are good facilities for mixing the uplani and sea alluvium, and 
thereby forming an excellent compost, which would render the arable lands 
far more productive, without the necessity of keeping a large stock for that 
purpose. 

Between the Bend of the Petitcoudiac, in Westmoreland, and the head of 
the Kouchibouguacis river, there is the best land in this county ; a road was 
projected, about twenty- seven years ago, from the Bend to the Richibucto 
river, a distance of about thirty miles; this road was opened by Col. Cock- 
burn, and was called the Maclocklan road, from the name of the Surveyor 
"who ran the line. Townships were laid off for the purpose of bei:g colo- 
nized from the mother country; but after bridges had been thrown over the 
Cocagne and both branches of the Big Buctouche, and the road had been 
rendered passable, the whole project tailed, in consequence of deaths, and 
other adverses on the part of some of its projectors. Thus this rich tract 
of country lay unlo ated until the year 1252, when the writer, under the 
direction of the Surveyor General of the Province, laid out three townships, 
each being five miles square, and containing one hundred lots, of one fourth 
of a mile in breadth, and one mile in length, thus forming a farm of 160 
acres. These Townships are designated as the North, South, and Middle 
Townships, and are on each side of the Maclocklan road : a large portion 
of the land is highly adapted for settlement, and there are ninety lots on 
tho maih roada fit for farms I at every two miles, through the Townships 
j)ftf!4 rttesM Kre laid out vm-min* t<?«rards th$ oo&it ai 



213 

are bounded on these cross roads, so that a proper system has been pursued 
with reference both to the location of the roads and lands, which the local 
Surveyor of the district, Robert Dougla3, Fsq., is carefully observing in 
the location of all lands to the eastward ; and the result will be that as this 
part of the county becomes cleared and farmed, it will present the best lo- 
cated settlement of its extent in this Province. The cross roads may in fu- 
ture be prolonged westwardly from these townships towards the settlements 
on the Salmon river; which will open up one of the besc and most exten- 
sive districts of good land to be found between Sussex Vale in King's, and 
Bathurst in the County of Gloucester. As an illustration of the character 
of the soil of these townships, the writer, in making the survey, noted about 
250 lots St for cultivation, out of 300, the whole number contained in tho 
three townships. 

Since this survey was made about one seventh part of the tillageable lot3 
have been granted, thus leaving upwards of 200 lots still disposable. 

From the point of intersection of the Maelocklan road and the iiichibuc- 
to river, there are two roads branching off westwardly ; one leadir.g to Frc~ 
dericton about 80 miles, called the Beekwith road, on which there are a 
number of low located and where fifty or sixty families could be settled on 
good land , the other, known as the Harley road, running from nearly tho 
same point, to the settlement, on the Salmon river at the head of the Grand 
Lake, a distance of forty miles, but some of the land on this road is not so 
well cilcuiated for settlement. From the head of steam navigation on the 
Kiehibucto to the head of steam navigation on tho Salmon river, (which 
empties itself in'o the river Saint John) it is only forty-two miles ; so that 
the mails and passengers from the northern part of the Province could bo 
transport d by this icute. daring the summer, in less time, with less ex- 
penc, and certainly with more ease and comfort to the passengers, than by 
the present coach route ; and the level nature of the country may be en- 
ferred from the fact that the head waters of these opposite rivers are on thi3 
line, not more than three miles apart. 

If the M.icloeklan road were produced, in n parallel direction to the post 
road, to Douglas Town, and thence to Newcastle on the Miramichi river, 
a vast tract of good land would be opened for settlement ; and this exten- 
sion w>uld not only save twenty miles of stage coach travelling between 
Saint John and Newcastle, which would amount to one hundred and twenty 
miles in a week, or 6,240 mile3 a year, no inconsiderable item, but would 
also pass through a district of which upwards of foriy miles is highly cal- 
culated for agricultural operations Besides these advantages, in conse- 
quence of the great extent of bridging required near the sea coast, it would 
not require more than one fourth of the expenditure on the present road to 
keep it in repair. 

As regards land for settlement, both in respect to extent and quality, thero 
is no part of the Province, from Rcstigouche. following its eastern and 
southern boundary, to the borders of Maine, that presents such excellent 
facilities. Here is a tract of land, extending through a portion of the more 
northe-ly parts of Westmoreland, and thence northwards almost to North- 
umberland, confining about 880.000 acres, the principal part of which is 
highly calculated for agriculture : ii. well repay the industi 

-ten 



214 

Commerce. — From the extensive sea board and internal water communica- 
tions of this county, it possesses every requisite to become a thriving commer- 
cial district; inasmuch as, besides these advantages, its coasts and rivers 
abound with all the varieties of fish, found in the straits of Northumberland, 
and its wilderness is stored with abundance of timber for shipbuild.ng and ex- 
portation. In addition to the two steam saw mills at Bichibucto there aro 
two others at Buctouche, besides which, there were in 1851, no less than 
29 water mills for the manufacture of lumber. 

There are excellent facilities for shipbuilding at Cocagne, Buctouche, r.nd 
Bichibucto; and it was formerly carried on at each of these places to a con- 
siderable extent; but recently this branch of industry has been pursued 
with avidity only at the last named port, where large class ships have been 
built for the British and other markets. A communication from that placo 
is kept up, during the summer months, by steam boat with Prince lid ward 
Island and Shediac, and by sailing vessels with all the other sea ports on 
these coasts. 

Though there is every opportunity for fisheries, yet there are no regular 
fishing establishments on the coast of this county; the inhabitants take a 
few for their own use, and let the rest go to sea again ; and the only busi- 
ness of any importance done in this respect is in the taking of oysters ; 
several cargoes of which have been sent Irom Buctouche, and other parts 
of the coast, up the Bt. Lawrence to ports in Canada, where Buctouche 
oysters arc held in high and deserved estimation. The markets of Saint 
John and Halifax have also received supplies of this invaluable fish from 
the same source. 

On the completion of the European and North American Railway, this 
article, independent of the other fisheries, will form a very important item 
of railway traffic ; as two or three hours sail will land them at the Shediac 
Depot, from whence they may be transported to Halifax, Saint John, Ca- 
nada and the United States. 

Minerals. — Although this county is within the coal region of the Pro- 
vince, yet coil is known to exist only in two or three places, where the 
outcropping has been discovered, and a few chaldrons have been raised for 
domestic purposes. Boring operations have recently been resorted to in 
different localities, but no vein of sufficient thickness to warrant its being 
worked has yet been discovered. 

Agriculture. —In consequence of the abundance of lumber in this coun- 
ty, and the case with which, from the numerous water communications, it 
can be procured and brought fo the place of manufacture and shipment, the 
body of the inhabitants have, until recently, devoted a large portion of their 
attention to this pursuit, and have divided the remainder between farming, 
fishing, and supbuildiog, together with some few other objects. And add to 
to this, the poorest land in the county is farmed, while the rich arable land 
in the vicinity of the Maclocklan road is abandoned to the lumbermen, who 
first cull the timber, and then leave to the hand of nature those rich alluvial 
lands, which, if cultivated, would raise them above the fluctuations incident 
to this pursuit, and place them and their families on a more permanent foot- 
ing, both us regards the requirements to support life, and in the moral and 
intellectual education of their children. In making these observations, we must 
not be understood as recommending the abandonment of lumbering, or that it 
is necessary tl and vice should accompany its pursuits ; on the contra- 

ry, wo advise that t}Q follow lumbering as the principal part of t 



215 

- 

support, should do so efficiently, and not spoil their farming by a mixture 
of tho two ; let them also establish better order in their camps, and endea- 
vor, in place of rushing into the degradations of vice, to adopt proper rules 
for its suppression for the improvement of their minds— and the introduc- 
tion of moral and religious culture. 

Races. — About one third of the inhabitants of this county are descen- 
dants of the Acadian French, and the remainder are principally composed 
of persons from the mother country and their offspring. 

Education. — The number of pupils who attended parish schools, in 1851 } 
was 898 ; and in 1853, there were 1,169; shewing a difference of 271 pu- 
pils in two years. This is a large increase considering that a large portion 
of the inhabitants are French, who have not, until very recently, paid much 
attention to the acquisition of knowledge. 



1851. — Population, and other Statistics of 


the County of Kent. 




Parishes.* 




Richi- 
bucto. 


Weld- 
ford. 


Carle- 
ton. 


WeL 
ling- 
ton. 


Dun- 
das. 


Har- 

court. 

1 


Totals. 


Inhabitants, 


3,060 


1,816 


2,023 


2,528 


1,941 


42 


11,410 


Families, 


469 


275 


291 


385 


308 


11 


1,739 


Children at school, 


330 


230 


151 


133 


99 




943 


School houses, 


9 


9 


7 


7 


7 




39 


Births, 


73 


30 


68 


89 


82 


3 


345 


Deaths, 


19 


12 


30 


14 


22 




97 


Sick and infirm, 


23 


21 


34 


9 


11 




98 


Agriculturists, 


249 


214 


267 


583 


450 


7 


1,770 


Places of worship, 


6 


5 




2 


4 




21 


Saw mi 11 j, 


4 


6 


6 


10 


3 




29 


Grist mills, 


3 


3 


2 


3 


2 




13 


Acres of land cleared, 


8,776 


7,347 


6,223 


7,963 


5,068 


119 


35,493 


Tons of hay, 


1,815 


1,500 


2.438 


1,424 


848 


42 


8,007 


Bushels of Wheat, 


6,818 


3,197 


5.394 


4,874 4,961 


12 


23,256 


" Barley, 


752 


710 


'796 


1,162! 945 


10 


4,375 


" Oats, 


20.174 


23,764 


17,632 


20,516 


16,722 


312 


99,120 


" Buckwheat, 


1,160 


1,854 


765 


4,242 


3,246 


94 


11,377 


" Indian corn, 


3G7 


110 


395 


1,109 


1.245 


! 


3,226 


" Potatoes, | 


97,591 


41,577 


75,713 


87,387 


62,311 


1,040365,619 



*The statistics for the parish of Huskisson are included in those of tho adjoining 
parishes - 



Population, 
Families, 
Inhabited houses, 
Places of worship, < 
Grist mills, \ 



Comparison. 

184o| "iS? \ Praise in 11 years, 3,933. 

^ " «« 551. 

I " " 467. 

I " " 3. 

I " " °' 



1851, 


1,739 


1840, 


1,188 


1851, 


1,607 


1840, 


1,140 


1851, 


21 


1840, 


18 


1851, 


13 


1840, 


13 



216 



Saw mills, 
Land cleared, 
Horses, 
Neat cattle, 
Sheep, 
Swine, 



! 


1851, 

1840, 


29 
31 


! 


1851, 
1840, 


35,496 
20,413 


I 


1851, 
1840, 


1,507 

881 


\ 


1851, 
1810, 


5.402 
3,579 


i 


1851, 
1840, 


9,092 
G.G84 


! 


1851, 
1840, 


5,859 
4,923 



Decrease 


in 


11 years 


i, 2, 


Increase 




n 


15,083. 


ti 




« 


G26. 


«< 




<« 


1,823 


(< 




*i 


3,003, 


<< 




i> 


936, 



COUNTY OF WESTMORELAND. 



Boundaries. — "The county of Westmoreland, bounded north by Kent, 
and the G^.lf of St. Lawrence, west by King's and Queen's, and the river 
Petiticoudiac; south by Bay Verte, the Province of Nova Scotia, Cumber- 
land Basin, the river Petiticoudiac, and the line run south 20 degrees west, 
nine miles and west nine and one half miles by Deputy Wilmot, in the yenr 
of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-six, from near the 
mouth of Coverdale river; including Shediac, and all the other adjacent is- 
lands/ 5 

Agriculture and general description. — In an agricultural point of view, 
this county is capable of being made one of the richest in the Province. 
Its high lands contain large tracts of alluvial lands, but its peculiarity con- 
sists in the extent of dyked marsh land, which requires a more particular 
notice; with few exceptions indeed, the whole county is well adapted for the 
farmer and an influx of 500 families could be located on its lands with easo 
and expedition. Indeed, if all the unsettled lands were divided into lots of 
from 80 to 100 acres, a sufficient quantity for any new settler, six times that 
number could be advantageously settled ; and we are hardly over-rating the 
agricultural capabilities of the county in asserting that if well farmed, it is 
capable of supporting a quarter of a million of people. Besides being in- 
tersected by rivers and streams, of which 60 miles ar: navigable for vessels 
of from 100 to 150 tons, this county possesses a sea boaid of 55 miles on 
the straits of Northumberland and Bay Verte, and of 25 miles or. the Cum- 
berland Basin, making a total of 80 miles, 70 of which is settled and fit for 
cultivation. 

The area of the county is 878.440 acres, of which 577.440 are granted, 
leaving 301.000 still at the disposal of the Government: the principal part 
of the ungranted land lies to the north-westward of the road leading from 
Shediac to Saint John, a large portion of which is highly calculated for 
settlement. There arc about 100,000 acres of cleared land, leaving 77S 440 
acres of the entire area still in an unimproved state. It is Estimated that 
about one fourth of the county is unfit for profitable cultivation; so that 
there are nearly 600 000 acres well fitted for tillage. 

Marsh.— The marshes skirting the head waters of the Bay of Fundy, 
are very extensive and fertile; the tract known as the Tantramar Marsh is 
near'y nine miles in length, and averaging four in width ; it is traversed by 
a river of the same name, and also by the Au Lac; these stteams have 
numerous nffluents, up which arms of the marsh extend. This is the largest 
deposite of marine alluvium in North America, and is designated by Pro- 
fessor Johnston as " No. 1. or first rate quality." 



217 

Another tract of similar quality, extends from the head of the Bayjtop 
the river Missiquash, averaging ten miles in length by one in breadth ; as tnis 
stream is the dividing line between the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New 
Brunswick, only about one half of this tract is within the limits of the 
latter Province. 

In the County of Cumberland, in Nova Scotia, and about two miles 
from the Missiquash, another river flows into the Bay of Fundy, called the 
La Planche, on which there is a tract of marsh averaging one and a half by 
six miles in extent ; and in addition to these extensive blocks there are others 
of less area, bordering on the Napan, Macan, and Hebert rivers, all in the 
county of Cumberland. 

For the distance of about twenty miles round the shore of the head of 
the Bay, dykes have been erected to prevent the marshes from being over- 
flown at high water, and the mouths of the rivers are generally crossed by 
aboideaus, and also bordered by dykes, which exclude the tidal waters ; still 
there are large quantities of alluvial lands near the heads of these rivers, 
which, although reclaimed from the sea, consist of bogs and shallow lakes, 
not yet converted into what is locally called " marsh." The lands skirting 
the bays having received a larger portion of the muddy sediment here held 
in solution by the sea water, have become more elevated than these parts 
near the heads of the rivers, but, still, owing to the great rise and fall of 
the tides, not sUiHoientiy so to prevent the drainage of the lakes and bogs 
into the bays at low water. This is effected by digging canals or large 
ditches from the shores to the lakes to be drained, with embankments on 
each side to prevent the intermediate marsh land from being overflown, and 
sluices at the mouth, permitting the egress of the fresh water during the 
ebb, but preventing its return with the flood tide. When the bed of the 
lake is sufficiently drained, this sluice is removed, and the sea water depo- 
siting its enriching sediment, to the extent, frequently, of half an inch, and 
upwards, every twenty-four hours, much valuable marsh is speedily formed. 

The soil of the marsh land immediately bordering on the bay and the 
lower part of the rivers, is a deposit of marine alluvium, composed, in a 
great measure, of a fine silicious matter, and is called red marsh. Other 
lands more remote are more clayey, and are termed blue marsh ; while that 
adjoining the upland and near the sources of the streams is of a loose and 
earthy quality. There are also large quantities of similar marsh land, of 
the best quality, skirting both sides of the Petitcoudiac and Memramcook 
rivers. 

The marshes bordering on the Straits of Northumberland are of a differ- 
ent description of soil from those of the Bay of Fundy ; they are composed 
of a mixture of upland and marine alluvium — that from the upland being 
generally light ; and the waters of the Gulf not containing much sediment, 
it follows that this soil is also light and highly saline It produces, in its 
natural state, a kind of hay called " salt hay,'' which is eagerly sought 
for both by cattle and sheep. When dyked, however, this land yields equal- 
ly as great burthens of broad-leaf as that adjoining the Bay of Fundy ; 
though it is one of its characteristics, owing, probably, to its light and por- 
ous nature, as well as to its being constantly and strongly impregnated with 
salt, that it cannot easily be made to produce the clover and timothy grass 
which is so luxuriant on what is termed English marsh, the quantity of 
which is rapidly increasing on the Bay of Fundy. 

The area and value of these marshes may be stated as follows : 
30 



S18 

Ingkhe parishes of Sackville and Westmoreland, at the head 

of the Bay, there are, producing hay and grain, 14,000 acres. 
And partially productive only, about 16,000 " 

Making a total of 30,000 " 

Which may be valued at £200,000 

In other parts of the county, of diked marsh, 5,000 " 

Worth, probably, about £40,000 

And of marsh only partially productive, 5,000 " 

Of the value of £15,000 

Thus the entire quantity of alluvial land, of this description, in the county 
of Westmoreland, is 40,000 acres, amounting, in gross value, to £255,000. 

There are also at the head of the same Bay, but en the Nova Scotia 
side of the boundary, tracts productive of hay and grain to the extent of 

12,000 acres. 
Partially productive, 8,000 " 

Making together, 20,000 " 

Which may be worth about £110,000 

Thus we see that there are around the head waters of the Bay of Fundy 
26.000 acres of the best quality, and which produce annually, upon an 
average, from one and a half to two tons of hay to the acre. Some of this 
marsh land has been yielding hay for upwards of sixty years, without ma- 
nure or any other appliances. How much longer it may continue to do so, 
without having its fertility renewed by the waters of the Bay of Fundy, 
the original source of its productiveness, or some other appliance, is a ques- 
tion which time alone can decide. The soil, at the present time, in many 
places, has become much exhausted, and does not produce so much, either 
in quality or quantity, as it did twenty years ago. It is true that the saline 
properties of the water would temporarily destroy the vegetation, but there 
can be no doubt that the sediment it would leave behind would renew the 
soil, and impart to it an invaluable richness. 

In consequence of the proximity of many of the settlements in this coun- 
ty to these rich marshes, "the farmers, in general, have, until very recently, 
depended on these sources for the principal part of their supply of hay, 
instead of raising it from the upland alluvial, with which almost every 
farm abounds ; this has tended to render the raising of stock, in the more 
remote settlements, less remunerative than it otherwise would have been ; 
and thus it has happened that almost all the hay produced in the county in 
1851, nearly 34,000 tons, was raised on the marsh lands. 

Roads. — The whole external portion of tins county is belted with good 
roads. The high road from Halifax to Saint John passes through it, by 
way of Sackville, Dorchester, and the Bend. The roads from the Bend to 
ShecUac, from thence to Bay Verte and to Sackville, joining the great road 
there, are also good mail roads, and they are almost all well settled. From 
these main arteries, cross roads diverge, in all directions, to new settlements, 
besides many new ones in course of construction. Thus the whole county, 
with the exception of that part of it bordering on the county of Kent, into 
which roads are now penetrating, is literally a net-work of roads and 
streams. 

Minerals. —The principal minerals, whose existence is as yet known in 
this county, are coal, ... nd limestone. 



219 

The outcrops of coal have been discovered at Belle veaux village and Dor- 
chester, and on the banks of the Memramcook, Scadoue, Shemogue, and 
Tedish rivers, as well as in various other parts of the county ; but to what 
extent in any of these places, has not yet been ascertained, as very little has 
been raised. 

Gypsum and limestone have been found on the Petitcoudiac river, near 
the King's county line. 

Grindstone exists in abundance on the Scadoue river, where a factory has 
been in actual operation for some years. An excellent quality of the same 
description of stone has also been discovered on the Bay of Fundy, and in 
other parts of the county, in most of which facilities present themselves for 
the erection of water power machinery. There is a large body of freestone 
between the Petitcoudiac and the Memramcook rivers, to quarry which an 
incorporated company has recently been established. 

Fisheries. — The shad fishery of the Bay of Fundy, and Cumberland 
Basin, and the herring, cod, mackarel, and gaspereaux fisheries of the 
Northumberland Straits, must yet afford profitable employment to a large 
population ; these fisheries are all in reality of vast importance, not only on 
account of the great quantities offish that might be taken, but of the great 
advantages afforded by the harbors and rivers, as well as the facilities pre- 
sented by the geographical position of the county, for marketing these pro- 
ductions of the deep. 

Shipbuilding is being carried on with much spirit in this county ; there 
were built in 1854, twenty vessels, the united tonnage of which amount to 
to 16,500 tons' burthen — the smallest being of 260, and the largest of 1400 
tons. These vessels were constructed after the most approved models, and 
all principally of the best material — hacmatac ; they would therefore class 
high. This branch of business may continue to be pursued at the Bend, 
Dorchester, Sackville, Bay Verte, Shediae, and other places, where abun- 
dance of timber can be procured, for many years to come. 

Thus we see that this county, from its geographical position, its agri- 
cultural capabilities, its mineral resources, and its extensive internal and ex- 
ternal waters, aboundiug in every variety of fish found on the American 
coasts, possesses every requisite for advancement in commerce, and in every 
other branch of industry. 

Races. — About two thirds of this county is inhabited by English, Scotch, 
and Irish, and their offspring ; the remaining third is peopled by the des- 
cendants of the Acadian French. 

Education. — The county of Westmoreland, in 1851, had 85 schools, at- 
tended by 1866 pupils, besides eighteen who attended a grammar school. 
Between this period and the end of 1853, the number of schools has in- 
creased to 95, and that of the scholars, to 2,967, exclusive of those who at- 
tend the Sackville Academy and other institutions of that nature, which was 
considerable ; thus shewing an increase in two years of 1101 pupils. The 
school attendance of this county, with 17,816 inhabitants, at the .period 
last referred to, was greater than that of any other county in the Province, 
even the county of Saint John, which, with more than double the popula- 
tion of Westmoreland; only sent 2,869. Thus it may fairly be inferred that 
all classes of the inhabitants of this county participate in and are sensible 
of the advantages of education. 

The Academy at Sackville has been in operation for ten years, and a fe- 
male Academy vma opened at the same place in XS54i The attendance of 



220 

pupils at these two institutions, at present, exceeds 200, and they are still 
on the increase. There are schools of a higher order at the Bend, Shediac, 
at Westmoreland at the head of the Bay of Fundy, and at Amherst in No- 
va Scotia j thus affording the rising generation of this county the amplest 
means for every species of instruction. 

Sub-divisions. — This county is subdivided into seven parishes, namely, 
the Parish of Dorchester, which is the shire town of the county, situate on 
the eastern side of the Petiticoudiac, below the Bend; Sackville. which lies 
northward of Cumberland Basin; the parish of Westmoreland, running 
along the Nova Scotia boundary ; Botsford, the most easterly part of the 
Province, extending from Bay Verte and Cape Tormentine to the Aboush- 
agon river; Shediac lying around the harbor of that name; and Monkton, 
and Salisbury, which lie between the parish of Shediac and King's County 
line ; the latter being the most westerly parish in the county. 

In the following description the reader is presented with the peculiarities 
of each parish in detail. 

Parish of Dorchester. — The village of this name is situate near the 
southern end of the Parish, and contains the Court House. Probate and 
and Record Offices, Post Office, Telegraph station, and other public build- 
ings and offices, with a number of neat private edifices. The land is dry 
and gravely, and when improved is very productive. On both sides of the 
Memramcook, or Dorchester river, which runs northerly through the parish, 
and on which there are extensive tracts of dyked marsh of the best quality, 
the upland is densely settled. It is a good agricultural district, and yields 
large quantities of the usual productions of the Province. 

Shipbuilding is carried on near the town, where a steam mill is erected. 
Sackville. — This rich and flourishing parish was granted under the great 
seal of Nova Scotia, previous to New Brunswick being constituted a sepa- 
rate Province, in rights (as they were called) of 500 acres each ; each 
right contained different allotments of marsh and upland, and by far the 
greatest part of the Tantramar marsh is within the limits of this parish, and 
was thus granted. A considerable extent of the land between Sackville 
and Dorchester, especially in the direction of the post road from Saint John 
to Halifax, is entirely unfit for settlement ; there is also a portion of the 
northerly part of the parish liable to the same objection. Still there is a 
very extensive tract of good land capable of cultivation, extending for se- 
veral miles to the westward of the Tantramar marsh, a large portion of 
which is under a high state of cultivation. 

At Cape Maranguin there are large quantities of grindstones shipped to 
the United States ; and ship building is carried on to a considerable extent 
at the entrance of the Trantramar river, where a steam saw mill lias been 
recently erected. Vessels can enter the mouth of the Tantramar. and the 
other rivers at the head of this bay, during the whole year, with the excep- 
tion of about ten weeks in the depth of winter. 

The two Academics already noticed, the buildings, together with other 
edifices connected with them, are very prominent ornaments to the village. 
The western margin of the marsh may be called a continued village for 
nearly ten miles, commencing at the mansion of Judge Botsfoul. at West- 
cock, a spot, the beauty of which would well repay the traveller for the 
trouble of a visit: ihc farms are neatly laid off, and the cot- >er- 

spersed with a tore 



221 

from its high lands, as well as from Fort Cumberland, in the adjacent parish 
of Westmoreland, one of the finest and most variegated landscapes to be 
found in the lower Colonies. 

The Agricultural capabilities of the parish may be said to be very exten- 
sive and capable of supporting a much larger population. 

A weekly and sometimes a more frequent communication by steamboat, has 
been kept up during the greater part of the year between here and St. John. 
Westmoreland. — This parish, as well as Sackville, was granted, in rights, 
previously to New Brunswick being separated from Nova Scotia. Nearly 
one third of its area is under cultivation, and it includes a portion of the 
Tantramar marsh ; there are also extensive tracts of marsh land near the 
mouth and along the banks of the Missiquash, which separates this parish 
from Nova Scotia ; and at the head of the Bay Verte we find other marsh 
land, though of somewhat inferior quality. There are about 25,000 acres 
of uncultivated land, 20,000 of which, as well as the bulk of the land now 
under tillage, is well adapted for settlement. 

In comparing the returns of 1840 with those of 1851, it will be seen, 
that notwithstanding the facilities for improvement possessed by this parish, 
its population has only increased 187 in eleven years, while it has exceeded 
the other parishes of the county, except Botsford and Shediac, in the extent 
of land cleared within the same period. 

It has long been in contemplation to construct a canal near the boundary 
line of the two Provinces, to unite the Bay of Fundy and Bay Verte ; the 
distance is only fifteen miles, and so level, that if the slucies for inclosing 
the marshes at the head of each bay were removed, the two tides would 
flow to within three miles of each other, leaving only this short distance of 
table land of very moderate elevation, to separate their waters. Both bays 
present good opportunities for carrying on extensive fisheries, the Bay of 
Fundy for shad, and Bay Verte for herring, gaspereaux, ling and mackarel. 

The Railway from Halifax to Saint John, will traverse this parish, in a 
north easterly and south westerly direction ; and a depot will in all proba- 
bility be erected at its intersection with the boundary line of the tv> r o Pro- 
vinces, where, no doubt, a town will spring up. 

Botsford.— This parish has a seaboard of fifty miles on the Bay Verte 
and Northumberland Straits. Agriculture, for which the principal part of 
the parish is well adapted, is the chief occupation of the inhabitants. The 
land from its proximity to Prince Edward Island partakes much of the same 
character. There are large quantities of marine alluvial deposits on the 
shores and of fresh water deposites in the interior, both of which being 
mixed with other ingredients as compost, are used as manure. The greater 
part of the coast is settled, and the parish presents facilities for improve- 
ment, and for an increased population. 

Shipbuilding is carried on at Shemogue and several places on the coast, 
but principally at the mouth of the Gaspereaux river, on each side of the 
division line, between this parish and Westmoreland. The banks of this 
river supply large quantities of ship timber, as well as the means for its 
transport and manufacture. A village called Port Elgin has sprung up 
near its mouth, where eight years ago, there was little else but wilderness ; 
within that period the number of buildings has increased from four or five 
to upwards of forty, of which seven are stores ; and two wharves have been 
oengtruQted* A weekly galling packet run^ during th* ftti&nfiieri fte>m thil 

)inl« petti ift Ghartewi 9fomi ft ft 1*1" 



222 

Shediac. formerly called Gediac. The parish is destined to become one 
of the richest and most populous parishes in the county. The Gulf ter- 
ming of the European and North American Railway is intended to be 
placed here, which mast eoncentrate on its harbor the principal part of the 
trade of Prince Edward Island, and of the coast of the two Provinces, from 
the Gut of Canso to the river St. Lawrence, as well as that of the interior, 
and the several rivers of the northern section of New Brunswick. The 
station is proposed to be placed near the south east side of the harbor, from 
whence the road will run to the Bend, a distance of seventeen miles, and 
ultimately to Saint John and the United States. There is a quarry of ex- 
cellent building stone on the banks of the Seadoue river, which has been 
used in the railway works ; and another of grindstone of good quality, which 
is extensively manufactured on the spot and exported to the United States. 

Although a considerable portion of this parish is unfit for settlement, yet 
along the sea board and on the Shediac river, and the tributories of the 
Cocagne, the soil is good, and there is abundant room for the formation of a 
large settlement. At the head of the harbor there is a steam saw mill where 
considerable quantities of lumber are manufactured, 

A weekly steamer plys -between this place and Richibucto, Bedeque, and 
Charlotte Town, and there are also two sailing packets making weekly trips 
to Bedeque in Prince Edward Island. 

The trade of this port, in 1853, was as follows : 

Vessels inward, 222, tonnage, 21,226, men, 1.091, 

outward, 222, " 21,226, " 1,091, 

The amount of revenue collected in the same was, £1,062. 

Parish of Monkton. — The chief town in this parish, was, till lately, 
called " The Bend," taken its name from its situation on a bend of the Pe- 
titicoudiac river ; but it was incorporated in 1855, under the name of 
11 the Town of Monkton" and divided into three wards, each electing three 
councillors, with a mayor and proper provisions for its municipal government. 

The town was originally laid out without much regard to regularity or 
system, though the principal street runs parallel to the river, from which 
the others branch in an oblique direction, the thoroughfares are narrow but 
many of the houses are neat and well built, and it may be hoped, as it now 
bears the rank of a town, a better regard to regularity will be observed, in 
the new buildings and location of the streets. The place presents on the 
whole, a business like appearance, and it possesses two banking establish- 
ments, the Westmoreland, and a branch of the Commercial bank of New 
Brunswick ; together with a printing press, where a weekly newspaper is 
printed. During nearly ten months of the year, a tri-weekly steamer runs 
to the city of Saint John, calling at Dorchester and Sackville. Shipbuild- 
ing is carried on to a great extent ; and this branch of industry, together 
with the progress of the railway, and the depot about to be erected, cannot 
fail to add greatly to its future prosperity. A steam saw mill for lumber, 
with provision for other manufacturing operations, has been erected. 

There arc several thriving settlements in this part of the county, the 
principal of which are Irish Town, and there along the banks of the river ; 
a large tract of good land still ungranted, will be found to the northward 
where two or three hundred families could be easily and expeditiously set- 
tled ; it is well watered by the Shediac and Cocagne rivers. From the 
ratio of progression made in this parish for the last fifteen years, it may be 
calculated that it will double itself in a period somewhat ^ess than four years. 

Pttriah of Salisbury.—Vfitix the exception of the intervale along the 



223 

valley of the Petiticoudiac, the land in the front of this parish is generally 
of an inferior quality ; that in its north west portion is much better, but 
additional roads are required to render it available for settlement. In con- 
sequence of there being so much bad land along the line of railway and the 
mail road, agricultural operations in this parish are much retarded. 

A depot will probably be established on the railroad, about twenty miles 
to the westward of the Bend, by which there is no dou^t that trade will 
be concentrated and agriculture will receive a fresh impulse. 

Mails and other travelling facilities. — The Halifax mail on its way to 
and from Saint John, Canada, and the United States, traverses seventy 
miles of this county, each way, three times a week : and there is also a 
tri-weekly mail to the northward through Eichibucto, Miramichi and the 
Bay Chaleur, which runs from \he Bend through its northern section for a 
distance of twenty mile3 ; another branch mail goes from Sackville to Bay 
Verte. fifteen miles, twice a week, and is continued once, in the same period, 
to Cape Tormentine and Shediac, a further distance of sixty miles ; so that 
there are 165 miles of the roads of the county on which post and way 
offices are established, besides loed couriers to new or more remote settle- 
ments. There are also 120 miles of the electric telegraph line, with five 
operative stations. 

The European and North American Railway, running through the heart 
of the county for seventy miles, cannot fail to add greatly to its trade, and 
and it possesses the advantages of steam navigation on the Bay of Fundy, 
for nearly ten months, and by way of Bay Verte and the Straits of North- 
umberland for seven months in the year. The winter transit of the mails 
from Cape Tormentine in this County, to Cape Traverse in Prince Edward 
Island, has been already noticed ; and it is to be hoped that some means 
may be found for improving this dangerous passage, the only route of 
communication open to the Island for several months in the year. 

Proposed Chignecto and Bay Verte Canal. — The magnitude of the 
trade of the Bay of Fundy, including the ports of Saint John and Saint 
Andrew's, has been already shewn ; that of the north eastern ports of the 
the Province is scarcely less important, and the thriving Island of Prince 
Edward, with its 70.000 inhabitants, is annually increasing its general trade. 
A ready and safe connection between these seats of commerce has long been 
wanting. But independent of this material consideration, the fisheries of 
the Gulf of St. Lawrence have annually attracted from 800 to 1000 Ame- 
rican vessels, all of which have to make the circuit of the entire Peninsula 
of Nova Scotia. It is not surprising that many plans have been formed, 
and surveys made for the formation of a ship canal across the narrow isthmus 
between the two seas, whose tidal waters, if unobstructed, would approach 
each other within three or four miles. It must be recollected, too, that this 
isthmus is the separation between Nova Scotia, containing 800,000, and 
New Brunswick, with upwards of 200,000 inhabitants ; and that the distance 
by sea from the westerly extremity of Nova Scotia, the nearest point to the 
United States, to the fishing grounds in the Gulf, by way of the Gut of 
Canso, is from 4 to 500 miles, and by rounding Cape Breton, not less than 
600 miles ; while by the Bay of Fundy, and a canal across the isthmus, it 
would be only 150 miles from the same point to the Gulf, and not more 
than 250 to any of the best fishing grounds on the shores of these Provin- 
ces. When all these circumstances are considered, it is not unreasonable 
to conclude that few countries in the world, similarly situated, would have 
so long neglected so important an improvement. Great, however, as the 



224 

inducements to such a work have hitherto been, they are increased by five 
fold by the Reciprocity Treaty, which throwing open the Gulf fisheries un- 
restrictedly to the Americans, cannot fail greatly to promote the resort of 
their vessels to these seas, and by allowing the free import and export of all 
agricultural produce, timber, and many other articles, greatly to augment 
the commercial intercourse with the States. It is the interest of every mer- 
cantile man in the Province, but more especially of the merchants of Saint 
John, to effect a communication which would open a new channel for their 
West India trade, and would facilitate their intercourse with Canada. 

If it will pay the inhabitants of N ova Scotia to construct a canal from the 
Gut of Canso to the Bras D'or lake, and another to connect the harbor of 
Halifax with the waters of the Basin of Minas, a distance of 50 miles, cer- 
tainly it will remunerate these rich and populous Provinces to open a line 
of navigation across this isthmus, where the land is a dead level with the 
exception of scarcely four miles. On the Bay of Fundy side, the Missi- 
quash stream, and the chain of lakes at its head, in many of which the wa- 
ters is deep enough to admit 200 ton vessels, and being a distance of ten 
miles, require only a comparatively small outlay to render them naviga- 
ble. On the Bay Verte side, the river merely requires clearing, and dredg- 
ing to enable schooners of this size to penetrate one mile towards the Bay 
of Fundy, so that in reality there would only be, at the outside, four miles 
of an undulating ridge to overcome. It was an observation of Captain 
Crawley's, one of the engineers employed to survey the locality with a view 
to this object, that if a ditch were dug deep enough to admit the waters of 
the two bays, the action of the current thus created, would soon wear a na- 
vigable passage ; but even if this should not be the case, and if a supply 
from springs should not be found sufficiently high to afford the necessary 
lockage, or if a steam engine to pump up the water for this purpose should 
be deemed too expensive, a marine railway might be constructed across the 
distance intervening between the two levels. 

Vessels are nearly a fortnight, and sometimes more, according to the 
weather, in navigating the present dangerous and circuitous path, while if 
this communication were effected of only 15 miles across the isthmus, much 
danger would be obviated, the time shortened, and a vast amount of expense 
and wear and tare saved. We believe that if each vessel only paid one half 
of what it costs her to go round Nova Scotia, as a toll for using this canal, 
ample remuneration would be received, and a great saving effected. These 
vessels do not, at present, benefit any part of Nova Scotia, as they make 
the broad Atlantic their highway, while in the event of a road being thus 
opened for them, considerable sums would find their way into the Province, 
while they would be much benefited, and commerce would receive an addi- 
tional stimulus. We certainly think, judging from the great march of im- 
provement that is every where manifesting itself, that the time is not far 
distant when a way, practible as we believe it to be, will be thus opened, so 
that the increasing commercial fleets of the surrounding countries may pass 
through this narrow neck, and thus not only save time, risk, and money, but 
a vast amount of human life. 

Another consideration, incidental to this work, is its probable effect in 
draining a large tract of bog marsh and shallow lakes, and by* its irrigation 
with the fertilizing waters of the Bay of Fundy, converting it into tillage- 
able marsh. About 3000 acres, now worthless, might thus be reclaimed, 
and their value would not be less than £30,000, besides the improving of 
much of the old marsh by the same means. 



225 



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226 



Population, 

Families, 

Inhabited houses, < 

Places of worship, < 

Grist mills, 

Saw mills, 

Land cleared, 

Horses, 

Neat Cattle, 



Swine, 



1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 
1851, 
1840, 



Comparison. 

\ 
I 
I 



24,127 
17,686 

3,723 

2,728 

3,629 

2,467 

58 

36 

57 

53 

205 

181 

131,032 

99,022 

3,833 

3,421 

16,871 
20,754 

28,564 

27,553 

8,090 

16,545 



Increase in 11 years-, 6,441. 
995. 
862. 
22. 



24. 

32,010. 

412. 

3,883. 

1,011. 

8,455. 



Bee 



Increase 



Decrease 



In consequence of the 
to the Census of 1840, 
counties. 



county of Albert having been erected subsequently 
the above table includes the statistics of both 

COUNTY OF ALBERT. 



Boundaries. — ii The County of Albert, bounded westerly by Hing's, 
and Saint John ; northerly by Westmoreland, and Peticoudiac river ; eas- 
terly by Peticoudiac river , and southerly by Chignecto Bay, including all 
the islands adjacent thereto. 

Area and Sub-divisions. — This county contains an area of 438.560 
acres; of which 199,860 are still ungranted. In 1851, there were 38,210 
acres of cleared land, leaving 395,350 acres of the entire area still in a 
state of nature. It is divided into five parishes, viz : Coverdale, which is 
the most northerly parish of the county, and fronts on the Peticoudiac 
river, both above and below the Bend ; Hillsborough, also fronts on this 
river, to the south of Coverdale. with the parish of Elgin on its rear, or 
south western boundary: the parish of Hopewell, the shiretown. abuts 
on the head of Chignecto Bay, and the mouth of the Peticoudiac to the 
south of Hillsborough ; and the Parish of Harvey, bounds on the last 
named Bay, and is the most southerly division of the county. The Court 
House, Jail, Register, Probate, Post, and other offices, are situate in Hope- 
well, which is nearly opposite Dorchester, from whence, by crossing the 
ferry, it may be reached in two or three hours. 

General Description. — The county of Albert from its geographical po- 
sition, having a frontage of forty-five miles on the Bay of Fundy and Chig- 
necto Bay, and of thirty-six miles on the River Peticoudiac, is in th< 
respects the best located county in the Province ; but on the west the Peti- 
coudiac should have formed its boundary against "Westmoreland, instead 
of that county extending as it does, across the river. 

The whole exterior of the County adjoining the ba^s and river, possesses 



227 

good roads and thriving settlements ; its centre is traversed by a good road 
leading from Salisbury in Westmoreland, to the shire town, and by numer- 
ous cross roads through the Mechanics, Caledonia, and other settlements ; 
so that there is not only a connection with all the contiguous counties, but 
means are provided for extending cultivation and improvement into the wil- 
derness. Still much remain to be done in order to open up the interior for 
settlement. If a bridge were erected across the Petitcoudiac river near the 
Bend, a fresh stimulas would be imparted to this as well as to the county 
of Westmoreland. 

This county is exceedingly well watered, having besides its eighty miles 
of ship navigation, numerous small streams penetrating it in various direc- 
tions ; on its bay side there are Wolf river near its southern boundary, Up- 
per Salmon, and Shipody rivers. On the northeast, the Weldon and Tur- 
tle Creeks, the Coverdale river, and the head waters of the Pollet, all taking 
their rise in this county, empty themselves into the Petitcoudiac ; all these 
four rivers are navigable for some distance for barges and rafts. These ri- 
vers principally traverse good land, and as roads are being opened, settle- 
ments are extending themselves ; in addition to extensive tracts of intervale 
and alluvial deposit, there are about five thousand acres of marsh skirting 
the Petitcoudiac and other rivers. Thus there are not less than two thirds of 
the county fit for agricultural operations, and no other county possesses in 
in proportion to its extent, so great an abundance, both of marine and up- 
land alluvial manures, or such facilities for bringing them into use ; among 
these the great supply of limestone, and gypsum, and of coal, and wood, for 
fuel, are not the least. So that, upon the whole, the farmers of this county 
are in a position to compete, not only with those of the other counties of the 
Province, but even with Canada, and the United States. 

Considered as an agricultural county, Albert could support eight times 
its present population ; and in a commercial aspect, it is inferior to none in 
its facilities for shipbuilding, both as regards water communication and the 
quality and abundance of its timber, great quantities of which, but more es- 
pecially of manufactured lumber, are annually exported ; there are nearly 
100 saw mills worked by water on its different streams. In 1851, this coun- 
ty manufactured 64 casks of lime, 375 grindstones, and 62,235 pounds 
of maple sugar, and 1,380 tons of gypsum were quarried, and 1.500 tons 
of coal raised. 

Races and Education. — The population of this county, like that of 
most of the others in the Province, is of mixed origin, English, Irish, and 
Scotch, with a few of the descendants of the Acadian French. 
The number of pupils who attended parish schools 

in 1851, was 740 

11 1853, 994 

Shewing an increase in two years of 254 

which is certainly a great advance in school attendance out of so small a 
population, and within so short a period. 

Minerals. — Limestone is abundant in the parishes of Hopewell and Hills- 
borough, especially on the margin of Shepody Bay, an arm of that of Chig- 
necto. Gypsum is also plentiful in this section of the county, and a rail- 
road has been laid, for its conveyance to the place of shipment. Grind- 
stones of excellent quality are found in large quantities on the Petitcoudiac, 
and in various places along the borders of its bays. 



228 

Coal has been discovered in various localities within this county ; some 
thin seams of a fair quality are met with near the head of the Pollet river, 
but little is yet known as to their extent. It has also been found on Cover- 
dale river, but not extensively. A bed of cannel coal of an inferior quali- 
ty, ten feet in thickness, has been discovered on Turtle Creek. These coal 
deposits lie nearly east and west, and embrace in their line the coal on the 
Dorchester river in Westmoreland, which is very similar to them in quality. 
An outcrop has also been found on Cape Enrage, and in some other places 
on the Bay shore ; some of it appears of a fair quality and of the thickness 
of about eight feet. 

But the most important discovery of carboniferous deposite is that on the 
south side of Wildon's Brook, a branch of Weldon's Creek, which falls into 
the Peticoudiac in the parish of Hillsborough. This deposit is a bed of, 
apparently, bituminous coal, of about ten feet in thickness. In consequence 
of the peculiar qualities of this mineral, disputes and litigation have ari- 
sen as to its true character ; scientific investigations have been made, at the 
instance of each of the contending parties, by some of the best chemists and 
geologists on the American Continent, as well as in Britain, but the testi- 
mony, or rather the opinions, were of the most conflicting character ; some 
maintaining that the substance is a ie true coal formation,' 7 whilst others on 
the contrary hold that it is "asphaltum." In a communication to the 
Geological Society, of London, by J. W. Dawson, Esq., in 1853, the fol- 
lowing observations were made respecting this remarkable deposit : — " This 
coal itself, as seen in mass underground, presents a beautiful and singular 
appearance. It has a splendid resinous lustre, and perfect conchoidal frac- 
ture ; it is perfectly free from mineral charcoal and lines of impure coal or 
earthly matter." 

A mining lease has been obtained — shafts sank, and mining operations 
commenced, and a railroad of upwards of four miles constructed for its con- 
veyance. So that this valuable deposit, which has recently attracted so 
much public attention, is now being worked, and although heretofore only 
to a limited extent, some extensions in operations have recently been made. 
Its commercial and scientific value, as being highly calculated for gas making, 
and other important purposes, together with its numerous " fossils and em- 
balmed fishes of the true coal formation," is beautifully set forth in the 
Report to the American Senate, made in 1853, by Israel D. Andrews, 
Consul of the United States for Canada and New Brunswick, on the trade 
and commerce of the British North American Colonies. 

Mr. Andrews says : " In the Province of New Brunswick recent explo- 
rations have brought to light a most beautiful, and before unknown, variety 
of highly bituminous coal, containing sixty per cent of gas-making bitumen, 
and forty per cent, of coke, which yields but half a pound of ashes per 
hundred weight. This coal is in the true coal formation, and is found in a 
highly inclined bed, running nearly northeast and southwest, with the trend 
of the enclosing strata. This coal mine is one of the most remarkable in 
America; not only on account of its beautiful, clean, glossy, and highly 
bituminous character, so admirably adapted for gas-making, but also on ac- 
count of the abundance, beauty, and perfection of its fossils, and of its em- 
balmed fishes of the Palceonisus genius, fishes of the true coal formation 
in America, and analogous to those of the same formation in Europe. Six 
or more new species of this genus Palaoiiisus we have described in a printed 
memoir on this coal mine. Time and labor doubtless will add many more 



229 

to the list, and the Albert county coal mine will become the Mecca of pil- 
grims in search of fishes of olden time The coal, as already suggested, is 
a new variety, particularly adapted to the uses of the gas house. It fur- 
nishes a very rich gas, highly charged with carbon, consisting mostly of 
olefiant gas ; and hence, is the very material that is wanted by gas manu- 
facturers, to enrich the products of our semi- bituminous coals of Mary- 
land and Virginia. It is not used alone in any gas-works, but is mixed 
withj other coals, in the proportions of from one fifth to one third, and 
thus gives the best product that can be obtained ; and at the same time, 
gives greater value to the coke of our ash-burning coals. The importation 
of the Albert coal into the United States does not, therefore, in any way 
interfere with the sale of our own coal ; but, on the contrary, enables us to 
use coals that would not otherwise find any market for gas-making. It also 
saves much outlay in apparatus required ibr making oil-gas from whale and 
fish oils, used to enrich the pale or blueish flame produced by gas from ma- 
ny of the coals employed at our gas-works. With the progress of geologi- 
cal research more deposits of this valuable coal will , undoubtedly be disco- 
vered, and the trade with the United States will tend to draw it within our 
own borders, by the exchange of commodities with our provincial brethren." 
(page 536.) There are also in this vicinity extensive bodies of manganese, 
freestone and granite, 

Chemical Works have recently been established in this county. These 
works are situate near the foot of the Shepody mountain, so called, though 
nothing more than a high ridge, possessing gentle acclivities. The neces- 
sary buildings have been erected, and operations commenced, at an expense 
of about £3000. Formerly manganese, the principal mineral substance is 
the immediate vicinity, was shipped to the United States, in its raw state ; 
but since the establishment of these works, various chemical substances are 
being manufactured, and brought to Chignecto Bay, three miles, for ship- 
men c. There is also fireclay in the neighborhood from which fire bricks of 
good quality are made. 

Fisheries.— An excellent and profitable shad fishery is carried on along 
the lower part of the Petitcoudiac river and the Bay of Fundy, which be- 
gins about the last of July, and continues to the middle of September. The 
mode of taking the fish is by weirs, standing, and drift nets ; the latter is 
considered the best, as it does not prevent the free ingress of fish into the 
Bay. 

balmon were formerly numerous in the Petitcoudiac " but latterly, ow- 
ing to the unmerciful and cruel manner in which the fish has been hunted 
and persecuted, as well in the tideway above it, they have greatly diminished, 
and are at present in a fair way of being extirpated altogether." — Moses 
H. Perley, Esq., on the fisheries of the Bay of Fundy. 

Note. — A table of comparison of the statistics of this county cannot be 
prepared, from its having, in 1840, formed a part of the county of West- 
moreland. 

In hastily reviewing the character of this county, and when we take into 
our consideration its rich and highly productive lands — forests abounding 
with almost every variety of timber produced in the Province— the bowels 
of the earth teeming with valuable minerals already known, and made to 
some extent available, and what future investigation may yet unfold in this 
respect— mails traversing its settlements, bay and river navigation open 
nearly all the year, and accessible to large class ships —steamers plying be- 



230 



tween its principal villages, and Saint John, as well as to the Bend, Dor- 
chester, and Sackville, conferring on it every facility of markets— and its 
proximity to the line of the European and North American Railway — the 
conclusion evidently forces itself upon our minds, that the county of Albert 
is destined to become a valuable and interesting portion of the Province ; 
and that all that is wanting is more roads, more people, and more enterprise. 
If a moiety of the labor lost by the starving thousands of the mother coun- 
try were expended here, the country would be advanced, and they would be 
elevated far above degradation and want. 

1851. — Population, and other Statistics of the County of Albert. 





Parishes. 




Hope- 
well. 


Hillsbo- 
rough. 


Cover- 
dale. 


Elgin. 


Harvey. 


Totals. 


Inhabitants, 


1,158 


1,496 


902 


748 


2,009 


6.313 


Families, 


186 


241 


140 


125 


325 


li017 


Children at school , 


166 


214 


111 


51 


216 


758 


School houses, 


10 


11 


10 


3 


9 


43 


Births, 


42 


74 


36 


37 


60 


249 


Deaths, 


10 


16 


9 


6 


10 


51 


Sick and infirm, 


7 


10 


31 


6 


15 


69 


Agriculturists, 


2 


189 


103 


116 


150 


560 


Places of worship, 


6 


3 


4 


1 





20 


Saw mill j, 


14 


23 


8 


6 


40 


97 


Grist mills, 


3 


2 


2 


3 


3 


13 


Acres of land cleared, 


8,543 


8,458 


6,774 


4,038 


10,397 


38,210 


Tons of hay, 


6,328 


2,864 


2,349 


898 


4,859 


14,298 


Bushels of Wheat, 


1,849 


2,011 


1,416 


817 


843 


6,136 


" Barley, 


572 


730 


513 


360 


1,339 


3,516 


" Oats, 


5,257 


7,687 


5,844 


2,043 


9,495 


30,326 


" Buckwheat, 


4,300 


6,945 


5,198 


6,463 


8,909 


31,815 


" Indian corn, 


72 


90 


96 


62 


23 


343 


iC Potatoes, 


17,037 


26,779 


25,786 


19,799 


35,105 


124,506 



In reviewing the statistics of this county, it will be observed that the 
return shews only two agriculturists in the parish of Hopewell ; yet the 
gross amount of the agricultural products of the parish is not far behind 
some of the other parishes, where there are fifty times as many thus em 
ployed, and exceeds the parish of Elgin, where there appear to be 116 per 
sons engaged in agriculture 
return. 



There must, therefore, be some error in the 



HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 

During the times of the English and French wars, which have been brief- 
ly referred to in a former part of this volume, there was hardly any part 
of the North American Continent which did not, in its turn, become the 
scene of conflict between the troops of the rival nations. The isthmus 
which connects New Brunswick with Nova Scotia, both originally comprized 
in New France or Acadia, presented peculiar advantages to its possessors, 
from the proximity of La Baye Francaise, as De Monts' had named the 



231 

Bay of Fundy on its discovery in 1604, to Baye Verte, now called Bay 
Verte, an inlet from the Gulf of St. Lawrence; and to the French it was 
especially valuable, as affording them the readiest means of communicating 
with Louisburg and Quebec. Thus it was in some measure a battle field 
for a long period ; and some short account of the principal incidents while 
it was thus a sort of debateable ground, may not be uninteresting to our 
readers ; we have, therefore, endeavored to condense the following from 
various sources, including the history of Nova Scotia by Judge Haliburton : 
The treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, which ceded Nova Scotia to Great Bri- 
tain, left its limits undefined ; and thus the commanders of the forces of the 
two nations each endeavored to encroach on the territories of the other. 
Subercase, the French Governor, had built or renewed a Fort on the river 
Saint John, and then endeavored to withdraw the Acadian French from the 
districts possessed by the English, in which Queen Anne had granted them 
several privileges, or at all events to keep up their attachment to the French 
Crown, and to make them the means of harassing the English settlers. In 
this he was ably seconded by their priests, and especially by the Abbe La- 
loutre, who seems to have possessed great influence with this simple minded 
people, and to have used it in furtherance of the designs of the French com- 
manders and to their ultimate ruin. La Jonquiere, the next French Gov- 
ernor in these parts, followed up the same plan, and having conferred with 
Laloutre, he employed M. La Corne to fix on some place in or near the 
Peninsula as a site for a Fort, to receive the fugitive Acadians, or to assist 
those who might remain. Gediac or Chediac, now Shediac, was first fixed 
on, but ultimately La Corne, at the instance of Laloutre, entered Bay Verte 
and took possession of the Isthmus. It was an object with the French to 
restrict Nova Scotia to the Peninsula now bearing that name, or even with- 
in still narrow limits, contending that what is now called New Brunswick, 
aod a vast extent of country adjoining, and reaching to Quebec, was re- 
tained by them under the name of L'Acadie, or New France, and they now 
on their part chose to fix the boundary at a small river on this isthmus, 
called the Missiquash, which, by a curious coincidence, is now the dividing 
line of these two British Provinces. Every effort was made to withdraw 
the Acadians from Minas, Port Royal, and other places, and from the set- 
tlement of Beaubasin, which occupied the ridge now called Fort Lawrence. 
In pursuance of this plan, which had been acted on for some years, La 
Corne, about 1747, or 1748, built a Fort upon a height at the head of the 
Bay of Fundy, which he named Beausejour, now Fort Cumberland, and he 
established two other posts, one on the Gaspereaux at Bay Verte, and the 
other near a bridge over the Missiquash, which he called Point de Boet 
(now Point Debute). In order to counter these projects, Governor Corn- 
eal lis dispached Major Lawrence to establish himself at the head of the 
Bay of Fundy. Some little skirmishing, as well as negotiation, seems to 
have taken place ; and ultimately, Major Lawrence took possession of Beau- 
basin, which, together with its church, was burnt, it is said, by the contri- 
vance of Laloutre, in order to compel the Acadians settled there to cross 
the stream into the French districts. About the same time Captain Rous inter- 
cepted and captured a French vessel laden with arms and provisions for the 
Acadians. Thus the two detachments were encamped opposite each other, 
at the distance of scarcely two miles, the English naming their post, Fort 
Lawrence, after their commander, and the little stream tacitly becoming a 
provisional boundary, 



232 

Jealousies as to trade and on other subjects, however, arose ; the French 
carried on their intrigues among the Acadians in Nova Scotia, and to in- 
induce them, through Laloutre and others, by promises and threats, to place 
themselves under the French flag. A French author, whose work has been 
published some years since at Quebec, gives a most flattering description of 
Acadia, which included, of course, New Brunswick ; the French settlers 
were not insensible to the value of their marshes, which they had dyked : 
and they had also constructed Aboideaux on the rivers, one of which, on 
the Au Lac, near Beausejour, was built by Laloutre, who had obtained 50,- 
000 livres from the French Crown for this purpose ; and this assisted in 
maintaining his influence in this neighborhood. 

Thus matters went on for some time ; the English inducing some of the 
Acadians to take the oath of allegiance to the British Crown, which Lalou- 
tre and their other priests endeavored to prevent, and to withdraw them 
from the Peninsula, promising to indemnify them for the loss of their land. 
New causes of dispute continually arose between the two nations ; the Aca- 
dians, who seem to have been treated with mildness by the English up to 
this time, being constantly worked on by M. Yerjor, who was now the com- 
mander of Beausejour, and his emissaries. In order to stop these intrigues, 
in the year 1755, just before the declaration of war between the two Crowns, 
an expedition was fitted out at Boston, under Lieut. Col. Church, to attack 
and reduce Beausejour. Three frigates and a sloop, besides batteaux. with 
a strong land force, were dispatched up the Bay of Fundy ; they rendez- 
voused at Grand Anse, or Maranguin, about six or seven miles from Beause- 
jour. The French commander used every exertion to press the Acadians 
into his service from Memramcook, Shepody, Petiticoudiac, and other places. 
Aided by Laloutre, he collected twelve or fifteen hundred men, and he sent 
to Louisbourg and Quebec, earnestly soliciting assistance. Meantime, the 
English disembarked, and encamped on the glacis of Fort Lawrence. Some 
skirmishing took place, especially on L'isle de la Valliere, (now Lowther's 
Island,) about half-way between the two forts. The French then concen- 
trated their forces, and burnt down the posts at Point de Bute. 

On the 4th of June, 1755, the English marched from their camp towards 
the road to Point de Boet, or Point de Bute ; and after defeating a body of 
Acadians and volunteers, who opposed their passing the river, they estab- 
lished themselves upon a height about a mile and a half from Beausejour : 
having thrown a bridge over the stream, they brought up their artillery, and 
on the 8th, made a reconnoissance to a rising ground called Buttc-a-Charks, 
when an English officer, named Hay, was taken prisoner by the garrison. 
The Acadians were now much disheartened and dissatisfied at being com- 
pelled to assist in the defence of the fort ;■ every application by M. Yerjor 
for succour was fruitless, and skirmishing was still carried on. On the 12th, 
the English had opened their lines and established their batteries at Butto- 
n-Charles, only 120 toises from the fort, where they continued to entrench 
themselves till the sixteenth. Their works are still visible, and are said to 
evince much military skill. On the 16th ; a shell burst in the fort, and did 
considerable damage, killing two or three French officers, and the English 
prisoner Hay. Tpon this, Yerjor, abandoning all hope of relief from Que- 
bec or Louisbourg, and pressed by the Acadians, offered to capitulate, and 
favorable terms were granted. The garrison were allowed to march out 
with military honors, with their arms and baggage, and were conveyed to 
Louisbourg, under an engagement not to bear arms against the English in 



233 

America for six months. The Acadians, pardoned, returned to their homes. 
The fort at Bay Yerte surrendered the next day on the same terms. 

Laloutre escaped from the fort, and proceeded to Quebec, where he appears 
to have incurred the censure of his superior; and he afterwards went to France. 

The French Acadians, still influenced by their priests, and refusing to 
take the oath of allegiance, were at length removed (with the exception of 
those who had fled to the Island of Saint John, now Prince Edward Island, 
and the river Miramichi.) in the manner detailed in Haliburton's History. 
This step, which certainly appears harsh and even cruel, and must ever be 
looked on with regret, was at the time considered necessary, as the only means 
by which the tranquility of the Province could be secured ; it may be feared, 
however, that it was carried out with great severity, and that much suffer- 
ing to this unfortunate people was the result. The fort on the Saint John 
was shortly after taken by Captain Rous. 

In order to give a correct detailed account of these and other engagements 
that have taken place, during these wars, within our Province, as well as in 
other parts of the Continent, it would be requisite to search the archives of 
France, Quebec, and probably of some of the northern States of America. 
Meantime, we must be satisfied with a more brief outline of the occurrences 
of these times. Touching the particular locality which has been the prin- 
cipal subject of the foregoing memoranda, the eye may still behold evident 
traces of the occurrences above related. Fort Cumberland stands on an 
eminence at the most southern extremity of the Point de Bute ridge, which 
is separated from Sackville by the Aulac river and the great Tantramar 
marsh and river. On the other side, the river Missiquash flows between 
this ridge and Fort Lawrence, where, however, the traces of the English 
fortification are but faint. Fort Cumberland was for many years a military 
station in later times, and has been kept in a partial state of repair by the 
British Government, and it is still in good preservation. Its commanding 
situation and deep entrenchments, with its solid bastions, afford proof of its 
having been strongly constructed ; and no doubt, in the then state of the 
country, it was a formidable military post. The skilful approaches, too, 
within musket shot of the fort, are still plainly to be seen, confirming the 
traditionary story that they were raised by the besiegers for their protec- 
tion from the enemy's fire, during the dark hours of the night, while the 
bombardment was continued from Fort Lawrence. 

Proceeding up the same ridge, which was traversed by the old, as well as 
by the present highway, to Bay Verte, we come to Bloody Bridge, at the 
distance of about five miles from the fort, near which, among other places, 
there was a bloody conflict between a foraging party, under Col. Dixon, de- 
tached from the fort, after its capture, and a body of Indians, commanded, 
or rather accompanied, by a French officer. The English were overpower- 
ed, and were all massacred and scalped by the savages, with the exception 
of their commander, who was wounded, and whose life was spared only 
through the exertions of the Frenchman. He was taken as a prisoner to 
Quebec, where he remained till its surrender to General Wolfe. 

At the spot where the road crosses the head of the Missiquash, are still 
to be seen the cellars of dwelling houses , and even in the woods, which 
have since attained the size of timber, tho writer has seen the evident marks 
of ridges onoe ploughed, plainly shewing that this part of the country, 
though now an unreclaimed wilderness, onoe afforded support to man and beast* 

Continuing our journey to Bay V<?rt$, tha highly mm§ MiU Pwfc 



234 

where there was an establishment of mills ; it then passed for nearly a mile 
over the marsh on a plank road supported by four row3 of hacmatac piles ; 
these piles stood about six feet above the level of the marsh and about eight 
feet apart ; their stumps now remain, as sound as when they were first dri- 
ven, having been preserved by the saline properties of the soil. About half 
a mile northeasterly from the most eastern extremity of this road, is Fort 
Monkton, on a fiat or at the west side of the mouth of the Gaspereaux, and at 
the head of Bay Verte. It is not more than ten feet above the waters of 
the Bay. The works are easily traced, but it does not appear to have been 
a place of much strength, nor is its situation imposing, as a place of defence, 
though it commands the mouth of the river. This point of land, together 
with 500 acres, bounding northerly on the fort, was retained by the British 
Government for military purposes for nearly three quarters of a century after 
it3 surrender; it was then granted and part is now under cultivation. Close 
to the fortification there are numerous headstones marking graves and bear- 
ing various inscriptions ; one was erected, it appears, to the memory of a 
Serjeant and seven privates, who were murdered by the Indians while in the 
act of procuring wood for fuel. The incroachments of the sea have recently 
exposed several of the graves, and the Legislature granted ten pounds to be 
expended in securing them. This sum proved, however, insufficient to pro- 
tect them effectually; they still remain exposed, and unless some more effi- 
cient precaution be taken, the waves will do their work, " and the place 
thereof shall know them no more." 

It is not difficult, even at this distant period, to ascertain the extent of the 
improvements which were made in former times, and which were principally 
confined to the places most favorable for military and naval operations. Thus 
the heads of the Bay of Fundy and Bay Verte, from their proximity to 
each other, and from the great extent of rich marsh land, and excellent 
tracts of upland, with which they were surrounded, as well as from the fa- 
cilities they afforded for communication, seem early to have attracted the at- 
ention of their former possessors. 

Forts Cumberland and Monkton, instead of sending forth missies for the 
destruction of man, now annually send out grain, potatoes, and other pro- 
dace for his support. From the bastions of the former may be embraced 
at one glance, certainly the richest landscape for nn extent of twelve or fif- 
teen miles, to be found in the lower Provinces ; from this point the prospect 
includes over 50.000 acres of marine alluvial land, worth at least £300.- 
000, on the west and at the distance of five miles is the large village of 
Sackville, with the great Tantramar Marsh, on the southeast is the village 
of Fort Lawrence, and still further in the same direction is the town of 
Amherst, the head quarters of the County of Cumberland in Nova Scotia, 
with wide belts of marsh intervening, and nearly south further than the eye 
can reach, stretches the spacious Bay of Fundy , with the fine settlements 
ir.ncl rich marshes on its Nova Scotia shore. Turning towards Bay Verte, 
and Allowing ithe road we have already described, we find it no longer 
Launteli\by bel igerent parties, breathing nothing but hostility to their broth^ 
er man, buvt bordered by cultivated fields, and each side studded with l 
form housesXsnd at Fort Monkton, though we have not so wide a scope to 
our view, yet ^<e there look across the spacious Bay Verte with long lines 
of thrr extending to Cape Tormentino on Bruns- 

iho eye ■ Indus-. 

th« 

i 



« 



235 



CHAPTER IH. 



PROVINCIAL TABLES. 

The following tables, consisting, principally of the industrial statistics of 
the Province of New Brunswick, will shew at one view, the aggregate 
amount of agricultural produce raised in the whole Province, as well as in 
the several counties, in 1851 ; and a comparative statement is subjoined, 
indicating the advance made during the eleven years previous to that date. 

We feel satisfied from the meagre state of the crops, as indicated bj the 
last census, and the great additional amount raised in 1854, that the returns 
shewn on that census do not form an agricultural panorama of the Province, 
in ordinary seasons, or when the potatoes were not affected by disease, or 
the wheat infested with insects, as was the case in both instances, when the 
last account was taken. 

The decrease, 22,883, in the number of swine raised in the Province, 
between 1840 and 1851, is solely attributable to the failure in the potatoe 
crop. 

The growth of rye is not named in the statistics, which is ITova Scotia, 
in the same year, amounted to 61,438 bushels ; it must have formed no 
inconsiderable item in this Province. 



236 



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238 

Note. — The county of Westmoreland included Albert, — and Carleton 
that of Victoria, at the time the census was taken in 1810 ; and the returns 
for Carleton have been reduced in consequence of a part of that county hav- 
ing been ceded to the United States under the Ashburton Treaty, and a 
further part awarded to Canada under the recent arbitration. 

*The asterisk prefixed to figures, denotes a decrease. 

Progressive Population in the Province of New Brunswick for the following years : 



1824. 


1834. 


1840. 


1851. 


No. of 
Counties. 


Total popu- 
lation. 


No. of 
Counties. 


Total popu- 
lation. 


No. of 
Counties. 


Total popu- 
lation. 


No. of 
Counties. 


Total popu- 
lation. 


8 


74,176 


11 


119,457 


12 


154,000 


14 


193,800 


Numerical increase, 


In 10 years, 45,281 


In 6 years, 34,543 


In 11 years, 39,800 



Note. — Between the various periods of taking the census, the county of 
Northumberland was divided, in 1826, and Kent and Gloucester erected ; 
York was divided in 1831, and Carleton erected ; Carleton was divided in 
1844, and Victoria erected ; Gloucester was divided in 1837, and Restigouche 
erected ; and Westmoreland was divided in 1845, and Albert erected. 

The increase in the population of the Province, according to its original 
bounds, between the years 1834 and 1840, was actually 36,705 ; but the 
Ashburton Treaty deprived it of a large tract of land, with a population of 
2,162 souls. 



Comparison of the increase of Population in New Brunswick, with that in four adjoin- 
ing States of the American Union : 



Territory. 


Population. 


Increase in 11 years. 






In 1840. 


In 1851. 


Per centage. 


New Brunswick, 


154,000 

501,796 
284,574 
291,948 
737,696 


193,800 


39,800 


25,84 in 11 years. 
23,49 in 10 years. 


State of Maine, 

" N. Hampshire 
'« Vermont, 
11 Massachusetts 


1850. 

583,088 
317,864 
313,611 
999,888 


Increase in 10 years. 

81,292 

33,290 

21,G63 

255,189 


Per cent, in 10 years. 

16,20 

11,70 

7,42 

84,59 



Thus it will be seen that New Brunswick exceeds Maine by 7,29 per cent 
New Hampshire 11,79 " 

Vermont 16,07 " 

Their aggregate Wfi$ " 

The State of Massachusetts exceeds this Province by only 11,10 " 
while the ratio of increase per New Brunswick exceeds the aggregate of these 
four States by nearly 2 per cent. 



239 






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This remarkable mineral 
county affords space for sev- 
eral hundred families — ac- 
cessible from Bay of Fundy. 


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There are facilities for 
further settlements on the 
streams. 


About 30 or 40 families 
would find land of a fair 
quality near the northerly 
end of this road. There is 
a valuable tract of good 
land, ungranted, between 
this road and the mouth of 
the Bay Chaleur, where a 
large number of families 
might be located. 


Facilities for further 
settlement. 


There are extensive 
tracts of good land un 
granted in the county 
of Albert. 






The land is generally 
good, and densely set- 
tled, on the sea-board. 


Land principally un- 
settled, and generally 
of an ordinary quality. 
The settlements here 
are accessible from the 
Bay Chaleur. 


Estimated 

population of 

towns. 








1,000 

1,500 
3,000 




1,300 


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a 

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Shediac, 

Cocagne, 

Buctouche, 

Richibucto, 

Chatham, 




Bathurst, 

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Settlements and Roads. 


Saint John to Shepody, 
■ the county of Albert. 


From Sackville to Bay 
Verte. 


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*?§? 

hOPt 



242 

The foregoing table only includes the great leading roads, on which set- 
tlements have been formed, and a few of the new roads now being opened ; 
without referring to the immense tracts of lands capable of being brought 
under tillage, in the internal parts of the Province, through which no roads 
have yet been projected. 

The population of the several towns named in the fifth column was in- 
cluded, by the census of 1851, in that of the several parishes of which they 
formed part ; we have therefore, given the numbers of most of them by 
estimate from various sources, and they may be received as a near approxi- 
mation to the truth. Those of Fredericton and Saint John are more correct. 

The two last columns will shew those desirous of settling, either indivi- 
dually or in groups, where the best positions for locating themselves exist, 
with reference to the principal roads now constructed or in progress ; the 
cross roads branching from these roads are too numerous to describe. The 
information thus conveyed, will, it is hoped, also be found useful in pointing 
out the direction to be pursued to reach the locality that intending settlers 
may select. 

PUBLIC LANDS, SYSTEM OF LOCATING, AND INSTRUMENTS EMPLOYED. 

Although this Colony has been organized for seventy years, still no pro- 
per system of locating the public lands has yet been adopted ; they are laid 
out in the most irregular manner imaginable. With the exception of a few 
isolated cases, limited and local surveys have been made, merely to suit the 
notions of the applicants, who are not always the best judges of what may 
be most advantageous for themselves, and certainly not of what may be 
most for the general interest of the public. 

The system, or rather no system, has not unfrequently been, first, to em- 
ploy a trapper or lumberman to mark out a road, which is generally done 
by following the meanderings of the streams, or " steering by sound." The 
latter method of exploring the wilderness may be thus explained ; a person 
at or near the proposed point of termination discharges a gun, or strikes a 
dry tree with an axe, when the party at the starting point, proceeds to make 
a line in the supposed direction from whence the sound proceeds. Another, 
and which is considered as a more scientific plan, is to start with a pocket 
compass in hand, the cost of which does not frequently exceed half a crown, 
in the direction of the sound, or in some other supposed direction ; and thus 
a line for a road is set out, but as may be easily imagined, not without its 
curves and straights. 

When this part of the public service has been thus performed, or perhaps 
in anticipation of it, parties desirous of settling select their lots, commence 
their " war upon the wilderness," petition the Legislature for money to 
assist them in rendering their intended road passable, and, in process of time ? 
make applications to the government for a grant ; when this is about t 
issued, a surveyor, for the first time, enters on the locality for the purpose 
of establishing lines upon which he may base the description in the grant * 
and generally taking this serpentine road as the base work of his operations. 
he proceeds to give one lot a double breadth in proportion to its quantity, — 
to another half the front it should have, for convenience ; extending a third 
perhaps, if at all, several miles from the first, in order to inclose some fa- 
vorite spot, either as a lumber district, or the site„of a saw mill. And with 
regard to the directions of side lines, they if? re generally run on different 



243 

courses, often leaving irregular portions of land between them, as the wishes 
of the applicants may determine. 

We know of instances where the Government own tracts of lands sur- 
rounded by curvilinear roads, on which all the front lands have been granted 
and located, without even reserving a road to the remaining Crown pro- 
perty, so that future applicants for the lands thus circumscribed would have 
to resort to legal steps in order to obtain access to the farms which may be 
granted to them ; in fact, it is only necessary to glance at a map of the 
located roads and lands of the Province to be satisfied of the irregular man- 
ner in which they have been laid out. 

Nearly ail the grants made previous to the last six or eight years have 
been laid out too large. In some places, the writer in re-measuring old 
grants, has found that in ten lots purporting to be each one fourth of a mile 
in width, tbere were actually eleven lots of the same breadth. Similar 
cases are very common throughout the Province, Kence arises an insuper- 
able difficulty in compiling a correct map ; in fact, under these circumstan- 
ces, it i3 impossible to do so correctly or to accurately delineate its sub-divi- 
sions without a re-survey of ail the roads and grants in the Province, at an 
expence which its finances do not probably at present warrant. It is true 
that the maritime survey of its seaboard, the recent railway surveys, the 
survey made on the Ashburton boundary, and that lately made between this 
Province and Canada, will tend to secure a more correct contour ; but the 
map of its interior must remain, for some time to come, in an imperfect 
state. 

As there are still 11,000,000 acres of the area of the Province ungranted, 
it is not too late to reform, and, " better late than never," to establish a 
proper system of locating the public lands. Let them be laid out in town- 
ships, or regular concessions, in opposite lines, parallel, and of proportion- 
able length and breadth ; with due regard to area, and upon straight roads. 
This system, if steadily pursued, would ensure satisfaction to the future 
possessors of the lands, and prevent much of the litigation that too often 
attends the re- establishment of the boundaries of old grants, boundaries 
which have in some cases been removed or varied by interested parties, and 
in others, have been destroyed by fire ; or perhaps placed too near public 
highways, the banks of streams, or the sea shore, and have thus been re- 
moved from their original position. Such a system, too, would save much 
trouble and expense to the applicants for land — much perplexity to the sur- 
veyors, arising out of the present complicated and confused method of lay- 
ing out allotments, — and a vast deal of trouble to the officer of the Crown 
Department in compiling and arranging the general plans of the Province. 

Another, and a still more perplexing feature, in the location of the public 
lands of the Province, is the variation of the compass. 

The located lands have all been laid out by instruments governed by the 
magnetic needle ; nor will the infant state of the Colony admit of the ge- 
neral use of the Theodilite ; the be3t, in fact, the only remedy for inaccu- 
rate surveys, being an instrument of the latter description which costs about 
forty pounds, currency ; and when damaged, it cannot, be repaired in the 
Colony. Thus the cost of making surveys with such an instrument, would 
be more than double the ordinary charge. Hence the use of the Circum- 
ferenter, in making the general and usual surveys of the county, will have 
to be continued, until the people are able to support the adoption, and pay 
for the use of other more improved and more scientific instruments. 



244 

It is needless in a work of this nature, intended for the general reader, 
to attempt to elucidate the properties of the magnetic needle ; the writer has 
at some length, detailed the operations of the Circumferenter in a work on 
land surveying, published by him in 1844 ; and therefore he may only be 
permitted to say, in general terms, that all instruments governed by the 
magnet are subject to variations, which have not, in the present stage of 
scientific progress, been satisfactorily accounted for. 

In some parts of the world there is no variation of the Compass, while 
in others it amounts to one quarter of the circuit of our globe ; in some 
places, it varies four degrees in ten years, while in this Province the change 
is only one degree in the same space of time. Neither is this variation re- 
gular, for at some times and in some places it inclines to the eastward, and 
in others to the westward of the true north* In this Province, it is found 
by the latest observations, to be still progressing westerly. 

The needle is also found to be liable to other irregularities in addition to 
the annual change, to a diurnal change, which is greater in winter than in 
summer, and more observable in the middle of a hot day than in the morn- 
ing or evening. In this Province, too, the variation is very different in dif- 
ferent parts of the Colony ; at St. Andrew's, in its extreme southwestern 
angle, it amounts to fifteen degrees and forty minutes ; while at the mouth 
of the Bay Chaleur it is twenty-one degrees and fifty minutes ; thus differ- 
ing six degrees between the two extremes of an imaginary diagonal line, 
passing through the Province, as little more than 200 miles in length. 

In addition to these inexpliable changes, the needle is liable to be, and 
often is, desturbed by local attraction. Ferrugenous matter is present, more 
or less, in almost everything in nature, especially in almost every variety of 
mineral substance ; and the aurora borealis, and other phenomena, are not 
without their influence. These disturbing causes, although sometimes al- 
most imperceptible, occasionally produce sensible effects on the operations of 
a survey made by the compass. 

It can therefore scarcely be expected that accuracy should be obtained in 
making surveys of a country, in the utter absence of any proper system of 
location of the public lands, — and with instruments not only defective, but 
subject to so many external influences, and to so many strange and perplex- 
ing phenomena. 

Many persons have so much faith in the accuracy of the compass, that 
they imagine that all a surveyor has to do is to place it at the starting point, 
and that by some concealed property it possesses, he may, without further 
calculations, or even paying any attention to counteracting influence?, arrive 
at the true terminus ; there can be no greater mistake than this ; especially 
in re-tracing old lines, or running new ones parallel to those which have 
been formerly run. In either of these cases he must first ascertain their 
true magnetic direction, — observe carefully that his instrument is not dis- 
turbed by local influences, and otherwise attend closely to its operations ; 
he cannot otherwise with any degree of certainty, make a proper inclosure ; 
a skilful practitioner may thus, withji good magnetic instrument, and by errors 
balancing errors, make a tolerably correct survey : so much so indeed that 
European Engineers are often astonished at the degree of accuracy that 
may thus be obtained, even without removing any large obstacle that may 
be in the way, and taking the distances on half cleared lines. 

The whole system of land surveying, even with such instruments as we 
have, might be much improved by the establishment of meridian lines, at 



245 

convenient distances apart, in order that Surveyors might frequently com- 
pare their instruments with such lines, and note the difference, if any ; sur- 
veys would not be so frequently made with instruments which are out of 
repair, besides the magnetic phenomena would be better understood by sur- 
veyors, and this portion of the public business be infinitely better per- 
formed. 

PROVINCIAL EDUCATION. 

There are few terms in our language with which we have so much to. do, 
and which takes such a latitude of meaning as that of " education." By 
some it has been considered to consist entirely in a knowledge of Latin, Greek, 
Hebrew, and the higher branches of mathematics ; by others, and we think 
with much more propriety, in such knowledge as may best fit men for the 
various duties of life according to the station in which they may be placed. 

Education presents itself to us in a two fold aspect ; first, man, as a ra- 
tional and sentient being, is required to learn, progress, and know ; and se- 
condly, as a responsible being, his knowledge requires to be rightly di- 
rected. 

We hold it to be utterly useless and futile to impart scholastic instruction, 
without giving it direction ; supposing a man able to grasp all the languages 
in existence, unfold and unravel the whole course of metaphysical science, 
and even to decipher all the intricacies connected with the astral heavens, but 
still to pursue an immoral and reprobate hath ; the bestowal of such know- 
ledge, so abused, would be worse than vanity. 

It requires no proof beyond that furnished by every day's experience, that, 
whenever moral and intellectual ignorance prevails, superstition, idolatry, and 
crime, go hand in hand ; and, if the millions of money, to say nothing of 
the sufferings of criminals and the heart burnings of parents, that have been 
spent in the punishment of guilt, had been applied in its prevention, how 
different would the actual state of society have been. 

In looking in detail at the various pursuits to which the great of mankind 
is required to devote its labor, we find that they resolve themselves, gene- 
rally, into these two great branches, agriculture and commerce ; and what- 
ever kind of knowledge tends to develope, and render these pursuits more 
useful to man, is a great desideratum. As a first and primary principle, 
however, every citizen of a free state should be so educated as to enable him 
to understand and appreciate the institutions of his country, the duties that 
may devolve on him in a public or private capacity, and above all, the whole 
system should be so morally and religiously directed,' as that he may be 
enabled to shun those rocks upon which the ignorant and unlettered are so 
often dashed. 

All civilized and enlightened countries, in addition to the regulation of 
their jurisprudence, have their intellectual institutions which are recognized 
by the body politic. These institutions in some countries are encouraged 
by and under the direct control of the Legislature ; while in others, they 
take their rise among the democratic body, and are confirmed by legislative 
enactment. 

In both these cases it requires enlightened knowledge to render these 
scholastic institutions really useful. 

Great Britain possesses no national system of education, though frequent 
attempts have been made to establish one, universally, or generally applica- 
ble, but all have hitherto failed. Parliament annually votes large sums of 



246 

money in aid of education ; and the nation is blessed with a multiplicity of 
intellectual institutions of all kinds, many of which are free and accessible 
to all grades and ranks of society ; still vast numbers of the poorer classes 
are sent forth to the world unlettered and uncultivated, 

On turning to that part of the American Union known as the New Eng- 
land States, many of whose public institutions are worthy of imitation by 
much older countries, we find that the law now in operation was enacted in 
1647, when the population did not exceed 21,000 souls, when the country 
was a comparative wilderness, when the red man of the forest claimed to be 
monarch of all he surveyed, and when isolation, poverty, and want were 
among their chief characteristics. It was then that the Pilgrim Fathers con- 
ceived the idea, that the property of all should be taxed by the majority for 
the education of all ; thus practically saying that "it is better to be taxed 
for the education of the child, than for the punishment of the man," and 
this was done within five years after the first settlements were formed in 
that now practically educated country. 

This, we believe, is the first attempt at the establishment of free schools 
upon this system ever promulgated by authority since the Christian era ; 
and notwithstanding it is of 20 T year's standing, with its usefulness ratified 
by time, and that the world is ascending higher and higher in the intellec- 
tual scale, still how few are the countries which have followed this noble, 
wise, patriotic, and philanthrophic example. In those districts of Canada 
in which a somewhat similar system has been in operation, the attendance 
of pupils has increased from 50 to 300 per cent. 

Under this mode of advancing education, the poor and the rich pay for 
its support according to their means ; and as a consequence, all have the 
right to a participation in the benefits of a good practical instruction. " The 
son of the rich man will drink from the stream of knowledge at the com- 
mon fountain, and will experience corresponding elevation of thought, sen- 
timent, feeling and pursuit. 55 

Another beauty in this plan is that every parent, having paid his yearly 
quarter, however little or much, is entitled by law to the education of his 
children, however numerous ; so that the body politic practically, become 
trustees, and are all interested in its advancement and public utility. There 
is this marked difference between the system pursued in the United States 
and that in Canada. In the former, the taxation, which commenced at this 
early period of the country's history, is compulsory ; while in the latter, 
where such astonishing results have been produced, it is optional with the 
people in their municipalities, whether they will assess themselves or not. 

While we believe that New Brunswick, principally through the liberality 
of its Legislature, is in as efficient a state with regard to its parish schools, 
as any other country where the free school system does not prevail, still we 
hope that, if the Province would adopt a similar plan, the existence of an 
uneducated youth within its limits would be an isolated fact. 

The principal objections taken to the free school system cf propagating 
knowledge are, that the higher classes, generally meaning the more wealthy, 
do not consider the parish school the proper place for the education of their 
children, and, therefore, they ought not to be taxed for its support ; — and 
that it is unjust to tax persons for the support of a school, in which they 
do not participate or from which, from having no children, or any other 
cause, they do not receive a direct and individual benefit. In answer to 
these very common and frequently urged objections, we are led first to in- 



247 

quire who are the higher classes , we know that the rich and affluent arro- 
gate to themselves, that distinction, without at all weighing themselves 
in the scale of moral rectitude ; while experience has established the 
fact that neither the poor nor the rich are the most moral portions of 
society, but rather those who, comparatively speaking, are neither very 
poor nor very rch, — -those who pursue the middle walks of life — not 
that it is necessarily so, but this result grows out of the facts that the poor, 
for want of a moral and intellectual education, for want of training up in 
the way they should go, too often fall into the ranks of vice and crime ; on 
the other hand, the rich, through the abundance of wealth, and in the ab- 
sence of moral education, are apt to run into profligacy, and by their exam- 
ples produce the worst effects upon the other grades of society, inasmuch as 
this class generally supplies the rules, and we find that vice almost univer- 
sally descends from rulers to subjects. But when wealth is accompanied by 
education, moral as well as intellectual, its recipient will, never for a moment, 
entertain the idea that to educate his children in the parish school, together 
with those of the poor but honest man, is beneath his dignity ; but on the 
contrary he will be glad to assist by example, precept, and means, to elevate 
the character of these around him ; if, in after life, his children have the 
leisure and ability (which cannot fall to the lot of all) to improve the ele- 
mentary education thus given, the means are, of course, open to him to 
give them these further advantages. 

These objections further imply that some are benefited, but those who direct- 
ly send pupils to the schools, which in the absence, is not true ; for if moral and 
intellectual education lessen science, which no one, we presume, will venture 
to deny, then it must save money, which is all important in this money- 
making age, by lessening the cost of prosecutions and of maintenance of 
criminals.. Besides this it adds to the safety of life and property, and adds 
to the value of property in every well ordered community. And further, 
the phjlanthrophic feelings which must be impressed on every breast, when 
he sees the blessings of well directed intelligence spread around him, ought 
to be some compensation for a pecuniary outlay. 

The question then arises, believing this system, if realized, to be replete, 
with all that is necessary to good and wholesome education, what is the duty 
of the Legislature with regard to it- It is the opinion of some that its 
adoption should be made compulsory by legislative enactment. Notwith- 
standing, however, that we are decidedly in favor of this principle, we do 
not believe that this is the proper way to promote education among a free 
and intelligent people, and we are inclined to prefer the Canadian system, 
which leaves it to everj municipality to adopt the compulsory plan, but en- 
courages its adoption by affording it legislative encouragement. 

The enforcing this measure by immediate compulsory enactment among 
a people whose voice is sovereign in the making as well as the administra- 
tion of the laws would be inexpedient. Conviction must precede legislation, 
and to produce this, let competent persons be employed, whose duty it shall 
be to visit every settlement however remote, and to explain by lecture both 
to parents and children, the advantages of acquiring education, and the best 
system for advancing it ; thus not only may every man be roused to a par- 
ticipation in its blessings, but the free school system, modified as in Canada, 
once approved by the majority of the people, will soon become the law of 
the land. 

Tfoere have been, from time to time, various legislative enactments in this 



248 

Province for the encouragement of education. We shall not go farther 
back than the Act of 1833, which provided for the appointment of three 
Trustees in each parish, who had power to divide it into school districts, 
assist the inhabitants in employing a teacher, examine him as to his qualifi- 
cations, watch over his proceedings, and displace him for misconduct. They 
were further to certify the schools to the Justices at general Sessions, pro- 
vided the school was kept for six or twelve months pursuant to agreement, 
and to their satisfaction ; the inhabitants had to pay to each male teacher 
£20, and to each female £10 per annum, or to provide them with board, 
lodging and washing, and on these facts being certified by the Justices to 
the Administrator of the Government, each male and female drew the same 
amounts respectively by warrant on the treasury. 

These are some of the principal provisions of an Act^passed upwards of 
twenty years ago. 

Now it may be asked why this act did not more effectually advance edu- 
cation, as its operations were under the immediate control of the people 
themselves ; the trustees were annually appointed by the Sessions, and the 
inhabitants, together with those trustees possessed the sole power of em- 
ploying the teacher ; in fact, all the supervision was virtually placed in their 
joint hands. 

This failure may be attributed to the following causes : — 

1st, On account of the difficulty of finding, at that time, persons in 
each parish competent to the perform the duty of Trustees. 

2d. This arduous duty had to be performed gratis, hence it was neglected. 

3d. In consequence of a want of means, either real or supposed, teach- 
ers were generally employed with a greater regard to cheapness than to their 
moral or intellectual qualifications. 

4th. The paltry sums paid for tuition fees were not sufficient inducement 
to persons to qualify themselves for the proper discharge of these duties ; 
hence it followed that few but incompetent and unfit, and in many cases, in- 
digent persons j were candidates for the office of school teacher. 

In consequence of this incompetency among the teachers, the Legislature 
in 1837, passed another act, the provisions of which did not much differ 
from those of 1833, except that a board of education consisting of three or 
more persons was appointed for each county, whose duty it was to receive 
applications from, and to examine all persons desirous of teaching school, 
and to report thereon to the Government. 

By this Act, little, if any, improvement was effected in the management 
of parish schools ; generally speaking, the same persons who taught under 
tbe former act, were continued ; however it remained in operation until 1840, 
when an act was passed in amendment of that of 1887, the principal alter- 
ations being an increase of the teachers allowance, giving an average of 
£180 and £260 as the extremes for any one parish. 

This Act not giving satisfaction in its working, the whole was remodelled, 
and in 1847, a new act was passed, the principal provisions of which were : — 

1st. A Provincial Board of Education, composed of the Administrator 
of the Government, with the Executive Council. 

2d. The establishment of a training school at Fredericton, where licensed 
teachers were required to attend for the space of ten weeks, to receive in- 
struction in the art of teaching ; for which attendance each candidate re- 
ceived ten shillings per week. 

3d, Trained teachers to be classified by the Board according to their qua- 



249 

lifications ; the first class receiving £30, the second £22, and the third 
£18 per annum. 

4th. A sum of £1000 was placed at the disposal of the Provincial Board 
of Education, for the purpose of providing books, apparatus, &c, for the use 
of parish schools ; the average Provincial allowance to each parish was £180, 
and the maximum £260 as by the last act. 

5th. All licensed teachers who did not avail themselves of the training 
school, were to receiv|>£20, subject to a reduction to £18, as teachers of 
the lowest class, should they neglect, after a reasonable time to attend at 
that establishment. 

6th. The Trustees were given the same powers as under the former acts, 
except that of judging of the teachers literary qualifications. 

This act continued in force until 1852, when all former acts were repealed, 
and a measure substituted, the principal features of which are : — 

1st. The appointment of a Provincial Superintendant, and a local inspec- 
tor for each county. 

2d. A clause providing for the voluntary adoption of the assessment 
principle for the support of teachers, &c, wherever a majority of the rate 
payers upon property of any parish or district shall decide upon such a 
course. 

3d. A Board of Education as before ; the Superintendant, who is Secre- 
tary to the Board, being a member also ; such Superintendant to receive a 
salary of £200 per annum, and £50 for travelling expenses, while visiting 
various parts of the Province once a year. 

4th. Trustees are required to divide parishes into districts, to assist in 
providing school-houses, and procuring teachers, and have power to suspend 
or dismiss such teachers for improper conduct. 

5th. The average allowance is £200 to each parish, and not more than 
£260 to any one parish. 

6th. All teachers in suoh parishes as have adopted the assessment prin- 
ciple are allowed 25 per cent over and above the allowance to teachers of 
the same class in other parishes. 

7th. A training school is established at St. John also, with male and fe- 
male instructors, where teachers and candidates may obtain first or second 
class licences. Teachers of the lowest class may obtain authority to teach 
from the superintendant on producing a certificate from the local inspector. 

We have now but one more act to refer to, making, however, no less than 
six statutes " for the better establishment and maintenance of parish schools," 
in little more than 20 years. This act, passed in 1854, merely alters one 
section of the preceding act, giving the following salaries : — 

Per annum. 
First class 
Second " 
Third " 
First class 
Second " 
Third " 

The partial failure of these acts, to effect the amount of good required, 
has resulted, in a great measure, from their ineffective provisions, as well as 
from the want of energy on the part of parents. Notwithstanding that the 
first act gave the control entirely to those most interested in its operation, 
the people at large, still it did not effect even so much for the advancement 
34 



£37 10 o ; 




30 


> Male Teachers. 


22 10 < 




27 10 ; 




22 10 


> Female Teachers. 


17 10 j 





250 

of education as was anticipated from it. It may be submitted whether the 
schoob of the Province would not have been more efficient than they are at 
the present day, if the Legislature had continued this act, and increased the 
salaries of the teachers to what they now are, dividing the amount now paid 
to the Superintendant and Inspectors, X1738. among the Trustees of each 
parish, this would have allowed £18 to each parish, an inadequate remuner- 
ation it is true, but still better than nothing : and public duties, gratuitously 
performed, are seldom, if ever, satisfactorily done, esPeially in a new coun- 
try where the economical devotion of time is a first principle, and where 
there are comparatively few who can afford to give up much time to public 
matters without some compensation. 

If Trustees had, under the provisions of this act, been annually elected, 
and properly remunerated, the public would have watched their proceedings 
with a more jealous eye, other persons would have prepared themselves for 
the office, and thus an additional interest and a degree of emulation would 
have been diffused among the people ; and had the allowance to teachers 
been increased to its present amount, they would have been better able to 
procure books for their own use, have given more attention to study, and 
thus have rendered themselves more useful in their vocation. 

With reference to the present law, it is true that while the sum paid to 
teachers is more adequate than formerly, yet the amount given to Inspec- 
tors is too small to ensure satisfactory results ; hence many of the visits 
have to be hurried, and little more than nominal, and the parents, instead 
of visiting the schools in company with the Inspector, seldom know when 
he comes or whither he goes. Trustees too have still a duty to perform, but 
as they get no pay, it is seldom attended to ; and by this means the whole 
management passes into the hands of persons over whom the people have 
no direct control. 

While these are some of the faults of the present system, still it must be 
admitted that it has many good features. The classification of teachers, 
thereby encouraging emulation. 

The training school for teachers, a great step towards uniformity of 
system. 

Quarterly reports of every school in the Province ; hence the state of the 
schools is obvious to every one desirous of becoming acquainted with this 
important depa± tment. A better and more uniform supply of bocks and 
apparatus. 

And the whole under the supervision of His Excellency the Lieutenant 
Governor, the Executive Council, and the Provincial Superintendant of 
Education, a gentleman well versed in the whole routine of scholastic in- 
struction. 

The following table will shew the number of schools and pupils for the 
years thereby indicated : 

1851. 1852. 1853. Increase. 

Number of schools 688 74 I 56 

" of pupils 18,386 18,591 24,127 5,536 

The annual report on the parish schools for 1854, recently published, is 
incomplete, but the superintendents estimate from the returns made, that 
the attendance of pupils in that year amounted to 26,200. 

It will be seen by the census of 1851, that there were 18,386 pupils then 
attending parish schools- a number, we believe, to be much beyond the 
truth ; there may have been this number perhaps at school at intervels dur- 



251 

ing that year, in the way that parents too often send their children to school ; 
say that for one month they send two or three, for the next month none, 
and for the month after, one, — a plan as ruinous to the advancement of 
education in the children, as it is unfair to the laws by which it i3 regulated, 
and unjust and prejudicial to the teachers. Whatever time parents can af- 
ford to send their children to school, should be continuous and unbroken • 
for it cannot be expected that children will learn, unless endowed with mi- 
raculous powers, when they are only allowed to attend school for three, four 
or five weeks at a time, with an interval of five or six months of neglect. 

It will be observed, from the above table, that, assuming the census of 
1851 to be correct, the increased attendance in 1852 only numbered 205 
while that in 1853 exceeded the preceding year by 5,536. This large and 
sudden increase may, perhaps, be attributed, in some measure, to the opera- 
tions of the new law ; but when we consider the prostrate state of agricul- 
ture and commerce during 1852, and several of the preceding years, and 
the sudden burst of improvement that immediately followed, we believe that 
the increase is more attributable to the increased pecuniary support that 
each family was enabled to afford to this object, and their better ability to 
send their children to school, aided by the slow but gradual perception of 
the benefits of education among the people, than to the operation of any 
law ; and the estimate for 1854, which we have given above, seems to war- 
rant this assumption. 

Though we believe that there are few families in the Province who do not 
indirectly participate in the benefits of* education, yet, on comparing the 
number of pupils attending parish schools with that of the families, it will 
be found that nearly one-third of the latter do not avail themselves of the 
educational system thus established. While this is the case, and one-third 
of the families send no child to school, it must be obvious that there is a 
very great deficiency, according to this calculation, in the amount of school 
attendance. It may here be observed that New Brunswick sends 120 chil- 
dren to school, out of every thousand of its inhabitants ; Nova Scotia 110, 
and Prince Edward Island 165, out of the same number. In the latter, 
the compulsory assessment system has been introduced. {See the article 
on Education, in the chapter on Prince Edivard Island.^) 

This Province has devoted, annually, the large sum of £16,000 to the 
purposes of education. In 1853, indeed, the sum expended was ,£18.878 
18s. 0^., which has been further augmented, in consequence of the increased 
salaries to the teachers, X22,587 in the present year. Of the monies 
thus granted for educational purposes in 1853, there were X13,656 9s. de- 
voted to the advancement of parish schools. 



252 

A Table, shewing the population of each County in 1851, the pupils at school in 1853, 
and the number of schools and other literary institutions in that year. 



Counties. 


1 Popula- 
tion in 
1851. 


Pupils at 
parish 

schools in 
1853. 


No. of 
schools. 


Other literary institutions. 


Albert, 

Carleton, 

Charlotte, 

Gloucester, 

Kent, 

King's, 

Northumberland, 

Queen's, 
Restigouche, 

Saint John, 

Sunbury, 
Victoria, 

Westmoreland, 

m 


6,313 
11,108 
19,938 
11,704 
11,410 
18,842 

15,064 

10,634 
4,161 

38.475 

5,301 

5,408 

17,814 
17,628 


994 
1,612 
2,702 
1,167 
1,169 
2,507 

2,304 

1,643 

508 

2,869 

751 
275 

2,967 
2,659 


33 
56 
122 
35 
36 
97 

58 

65 
22 

64 

22 

12 

95 

57 


Grammar School, 
Do. 

Do. St. Stephen's Academy. 
Do. 
Do. 

Grammar School and Roman Catholic 

School. 
Grammar School. 

Do. 
Grammar, Roman Catholic, African and 

Commercial School. 
Grammar School. 

Do. 
Male and Female Academies, and French 

College. 
King's College, Collegiate School, Baptist 

Seminary, Infant School, and R. C. School. 


Totals, 


193,800 


24,127 


774 


There are Madras and other schools in 
the Province, in addition to the above. 



In the year 


1853, 


there were 21,074 learnin 


g spelling, 


cc 


« 


n 


18,927 


cc 


reading, 


it 


(C 


tt 


13,573 


Cf 


writing. 


tt 


tt 


a 


9,527 


cc 


arithmetic, 


it 


tt 


tt 


4,151 


a 


English grammar, 


a 


a 


tt 


3,606 


cc 


geography, 


a 


a 


a 


1,329 


tt 


history, 


tt 


n 


a 


505 


it 


book-keeping, 


n 


it 


tt 


181 


a 


geometry, 


tt 


tt 


tt 


197 


a 


mensuration, 


it 


tt 


' a 


75 


a 


land surveying, 


a 


ti 


tt 


21 


tt 


navigation, 


it 


tt 


tt 


66 


tt 


algebra, 


a 


a 


tt 


578 


cc 


other subjects, 


it 


u 


ti 


2,050 


cc 


common needle-work. 



The above numbers and list of subjects are all taught in the parish 
schools, in addition to the numbers educated, and branches of education 
taught, in other institutions throughout the Province. 

Table, shelving the classification of Teachers : 
First class, 87 1 



Second do., 
Third do., 

Total, 
First class, 
Second do., 
Third do., 

Total, 



122 | 

253 \ Male teachers. 



462 J 
46] 
40 I 

167 f 

258 J 



I Total of both sexes — 
715. 



Female teach- 
ers* 



253 

Religious Persuasion of Teachers : 

Episcopalian, 179 

Roman Catholic, 155 

Presbyterian, 106 

Methodist, . 90 

Baptist, 146 

Congregationalist, 5 

Other denominations, 19 

The total amount, including Provincial allowances, sums realized by as- 
sessment, subscriptions by inhabitants and from various other sources, which 

was expended during the year 1853, for the support of parish schools 

was £22,587 

Granted in aid of other institutions 5,222 



Making the grand total in aid of education in the Province £27,809 

This gross amount is in addition to the support given tc numerous private 
schools, and other similar institutions, which are not under the direct con- 
trol of the Board of Education, from whose reports vre have extracted the 
principal part of the foregoing tabular statements. 

These returns shew the small number who attend the higher branches, 
compared to those who engage in the elementary studies. 

By the census of 1851, it appears that, out of a population of 193,800 
souls, there were only 502 who attended grammar schools. Thus we see 
that but little interest is taken by the mass of the people in the higher stu- 
dies — these who learn geography are only 181 ; land surveying 75 , navi- 
gation 21 ; and algebra 66. As it is very common for one student to at- 
tend to various branches at the same time, the number who made either the 
sole object of study must be very few. It follows, therefore, that the Pro- 
vince have been legislating for education a head of the legitimate wants of 
the people, besides the amount given for county grammar schools, at a great 
cost to the Province, large sums have been granted to Collegiate institutions 
at the expense of the many, and only to the advantage of the few, without 
producing a commensurate amount of general utility. 

King's College. — This institution was established at Predericton by 
Royal Charter in 1828, under the patronage of Sir Howard Douglas, then 
Governor of New Brunswick. It is amply provided with highly competent 
professors, a library and philosophical apparatus, with an observatory , so 
that a thorough classical and philosophical education may be obtained at it. 

It receives annually the large endowment of £2,000 sterling, one half 
from the British Crown, and the other from the Provincial Legislature ; it 
possesses besides a tract of 6,000 acres of valuable land adjacent to the 
college, and the total revenue from all sources is £2,561 annually. 

Strong objections have been urged to its receiving such large sums from 
the public funds, while it was sectarian and exclusive in its operations. 
Frequent applications have been made to the Legislature, and a correspon- 
dence opened with the Imperial Government as to the allowing other deno- 
minations besides the Church of England, to participate in its management, 
and otherwise modifying its exclusive character. This, in some measure, 
has been effected, but it is still under sectarian control. 

The salaries of the Professors and other incidental expenses amounted, in 
the year 1852, to more than £1,800. 

There is also a GoUegiate School in Frederioton, ably conducted, where 



254 

pupils pursue all the necessary branches to qualify them for matriculation 
at the College. It receives the annual sum of £350 from the College 
fund ; so that the amount actually paid in defraying the expenses of these 
two establishments, is over £2.200, while the average number of students 
who annually attend at the College does not exceed sixty-five ; therefore, 
each student educated there costs £30, at least, of public money. 

King's College was erected at a great cost, and at a time when \he Pro- 
vince was unprepared to support it ; and scarcely, even at the present day, 
twenty-six years since its foundation, is the state of society sufficiently ad- 
vanced to support such an establishment, especially considering the number 
of other literary institutions now in being. So that if the large amount of 
money, £26,000 sterling, which have been # paid out of the public funds of 
the Province, together with its other endowments, besides an equal amount 
from the British Crown, had been expended in elevating and endowing the 
common schools, in which almost all the useful and practical men of the 
country receive their education, what a blessing it would have been to the 
Province. 

If, indeed, a thorough University, where creed should not be considered ; 
but where moral and intellectual endowments should be the only test, were 
established near the common boundary for both Nova Scotia and New 
Brunswick, and in which both Provinces could participate in common, and 
the surplus of all the endowments not properly required for this purpose, 
bestowed on the improvement of the parish schools, ai new era in moral and 
scholastic instruction would characterize the Province. 

Since the foregoing observations were written, the Commissioners ap- 
pointed by the Government have made their report on this institution, em- 
bodying many useful recommendations ; one of the principal being the es- 
tablishment of a University, with which other educational institutions may 
be affiliated. They also recommend the embracing many branches of prac- 
tical education, not heretofore taught in the College, but which, in the words 
of the Hcport, " will best qualify them (the students) to advance their own 
interests and those of their country, in the capacity of farmers, merchants, 
manufacturers, engineers, architects, mechanics, navigators, or professional 
men." 

There is other important subjects which seems to have received the full 
attention of the commissioners, and their report affirms that " no youth enn 
be properly educated who is not instructed in religion as well as in science 
and literature." 

Baptist Seminary. — This institution was established in Fredericton in 
1836, by the Baptists of the Province. It is supported, with the excep- 
tion of an annual Legislative Grant of £250, by the denomination to which 
it belongs. It has been found a useful institution of learning, and has done 
much in elevating the educational standard of the Province by diffusing a 
knowledge of the classics, and the higher branches of science. 

Sackvillc Academy, in Westmoreland county, was built by private sub- 
scription in 1843. It receives an annual donation of £300 from the Pro- 
vincial Legislature of New Brunswick, and another oi' £250 from that of 
Nova Scotia. It is under the control of the Methodist jjcnomination ; the 
subjects t:>i! r M)t nro classics, natural and moral philosophy, mathematics, 
and divinity, [t fcruQtion, in Jurr, 1854, to 11 V ntudents. 

vei ft logtahtive oll&wftnw 



255 

of the same body of Christians. The instruction given is under the direc- 
tion of a female Principal of high literary standing , and the other precep- 
tresses are extremely Tveil qualified for their task ; the number of pupils 
already admitted exceeds one hundred. 

Both these last named Institutions are situated in a healthy part of the 
Province, and are calculated to promote the intellectual progress of its youth 
of both sexes. 

The country round the head of the My of Fundy is as highly favored 
in an educational point of view as any other part of the Province. In ad- 
tion to the two Academies already described, there are two other schools, 
both female, in that neighborhood ; one at Amherst in Nova Scotia, and the 
other near Fort Cumberland ; and strange to say, that as these institutions 
have increased in number, so have the pupils in each ; a fact which evident- 
ly shews that education has recently received a fresh and satisfactory sti- 
mulus. 

In the city of Saint John, there are a number of literary institutions, all 
of which receive Legislative aid. 

The Madras School, which is under the supervision of the Administra- 
tor of the Government and the heads of the principal departments, receives 
annually £400 

The grammar school, a very superior one 1 00 

Roman Catholic School 150 

African School 50 

Commercial School 50^0 

Grammar Schools. — Every county, the inhabitants of which shall 
subscribe the sum of £50 in payment of a teacher, 13 entitled to 
have a Grammar School, the Government allowance being £100 per 
annum. There are at present twelve of these institutions in the Province, 
in addition to several other schools of a high order. 

These Grammar Schools are, next to the parish schools, the mo3t useful 
in the Province ; they are entirely free from that sectarian element which 
enters, more or less, into all denominational establishments of this nature. 

However, at the present time, many of the parish schoolmasters are fully 
competent to give instruction in ail the branches required to be taught in the 
grammar schools, and may therefore be said to have in a great measure su- 
perseded them, especially as board and lodging are great obstacles in the 
way of many boys availing themselves of the grammar schools. The teach- 
ers of parish schools being generally migratory, though not necessarily so, 
their usefulness becomes more generally diffused ; whereas there can only 
be one grammar school in each county, and that stationary, generally in the 
county town. At many of the parish schools, grammar, and some of the 
higher branches of education, are actually taught, and if a plan could be de- 
vised for making these grammar schools migratory, according to the wants 
of the population, their utility would be more practical, and the benefits to be 
derived from them would be participated in by a far greater number. 

The establishment of school libraries has not yet been attempted in this 
Province, though in Upper Canada 75,000 volumes are in circulation. We 
hope the attention of the public will, in future, be directed to this praise- 
worthy object. 

Literature. —The Literature of the Province, both moral and intellec- 
tual, is on equal footing with that of the growing countries by which it is 
surrounded, and is far in advance, especially in a moral point of view, of 



256 

many of the countries of Europe. The truth of the maxim is daily be- 
coming more manifest, that success is the offspring of diligence, and eminence 
the fruit of steady application and laborious effort. 

In addition to the frequent publication of works on moral, religious, his- 
torical, statistical and scientific subjects, there are, besides two daily papers, 
published in the city of Saint John, twenty weekly newspapers published in 
the Province, as follows: 



Place. 


Names of papers. 


Saint John, 


Morning News, 


a a 


Courier, 


(( t\ 


Observer, 


it ti 


Freeman, 


u a 


New Brunswicker, 


ii ti 


Church Witness. 


York, City of Fredericton, 


Royal Gazette, 


a a a 


Head Quarters, 


<t u a 


Reporter, 


a a it 


Temperance Telegraph, 


Charlotte, St. Stephen's, 


The Pilot, 


" St. Andrew's, 


The Standard, 


tt a 


The Family Gazette and Char- 




lotte County Advertizer. 


Carleton, Woodstock, 


Carleton Sentinel, 


it a 

H 


Woodstock Journal, 


it* a 


Temperance Advocate. 


Northumberland, Chatham, 


Gleaner. 


Westmoreland, the Bend, 


Westmoreland Times. 



English literature is eagerly sought for, and vast numbers of newspapers 
are circulated on the arrival of every mail from Europe. 

In many respects, there is great attention paid to morality and re- 
ligion in every department in the Province. The appointment by the 
Government of clergymen, irrespective of creed, to examine its grammar 
schools and other literary institutions, the closing of public offices, and, in 
a measure, the stoppage of the travelling of the mails on the Sabbath day, 
and a course of good wholesome laws, for the suppression of public immo- 
ralities, are among those good things at which the country may rejoice. 
Still there is ample room for a vast amount of further reform in the moral 
atmosphere of the Province. 

The inference to be drawn from the preceding Statistics of Provincial 
Education is that few countries, with such a paucity of population, and 
that scattered over 20,000,000 acres of territory, are higher privileged, 
few have better prospects ahead ; a continually increasing desire for the ac- 
quisition of knowledge, morally, intellectually, and physically, among the 
mass of the people, with a growing supply for all our domestic wants, and 
every prospect of an increased revenue, must all essentially tend to the 
elevation ot its inhabitants, and ultimately to the legitimate developement of 
the resources of the Colony. 

In concluding this important subject, we may be allowed to say, that we 
find ample room for congratulation to our provincial fellov, -countrymen on 
the situation and prospects of this favored land, we do not possess a dense 
population, nor have we the advantage of being surrounded by countries 
rich in historical recollections ; but we can rejoice in a country which, though 



257 

but a few years ago, a comparative wilderness, the habitation of savages, now 
boasts its free and liberal institutions, diffusing knowledge through every 
village, in which two or three may be gathered together, however isolated 
or solitary, within its limits — a country which allowing every inhabitant the 
utmost liberty of conscience to worship the Almighty as he pleases, pro- 
vides ample means of religious as well as moral instruction, and is surround- 
ed by other sister Provinces, and by States which are equally alive to these 
subjects— to the moral and intellectual march of the understanding, and, 
in one word, to the elevation of the human mind by the proper application 
of matter. And we are warranted in drawing the inference, that thus in- 
struction, precept and example, coupled with the cheapness of books, and 
with almost every other mental facility, must inevitably produce the game 
results among ourselves as they have done in other countries in which their 
operation has been longer and more vigorously applied. 

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 

Neither the number of adherents or churches belonging to any of the 
bodies comprising the religious denominations of the Province, are given in 
the census of 1851 ; so that the numerical strength of each cannot be sta- 
ted. The following are the principal sects into which the inhabitants of the 
Province are divided : 
Church of England, 
Kirk of Scotland ) 

Free Church S -n t 

Reformed Church Presbyterians. 

Church of Nova Scotia ) 

General ^ ^ 1S ( Associated Baptist Churches 
Wesleyan Methodists 
Roman Catholics 
Congregationalists. 

These comprize the principal religious denominations, and geographically 
considered, they are interspersed throughout the various districts. It would 
be difficult to find a settlement of any considerable extent, in which there 
are not to be found persons adhering to each of these religious divisions. 

The Episcopal Church is presided over by a Bishop, who resides at 
Fredericton, where a Cathedral is erected. By the census of 1840, there 
were sixty-one places of worship belonging to it ; and at the present time, 
it possesses as many clergymen as it then had churches, who are scattered 
throughout the Province. 

The various bodies comprized in the Presbyterian Church, in 1840, 
owned thirty-two places of worship. This body, unitedly, can now boast of 
twenty-eight clergymen in various districts, and there are eight vacant stations. 

The Associated Baptist Churches in 1840, had erected sixty-one places 
of worship ; at this day they have eighty pastors located among their several 
congregations; they have the largest number of clergy of any christian 
body in the Province. 

Wesleyan Methodist Church. — This body, in 1840, owned forty-four 
places of worship ; at the present time it numbers thirty-four clergymen. 
They are an active influential body, and deserve credit for attention to their 
educational institutions. 

35 



258 

The Roman Catholic Church is presided over by a Bishop, -whose re- 
sidence is in Saint John, where a cathedral is now being erected. In 1840, 
there were fifty-one places of worship attached to it; it has now only twen- 
ty-seven clergymen, while its adherents, widely scattered throughout the 
Colony, exceed those of any other religious body. 

The other denominations, including the Congregationalisls, who number 
only four clergymen, are comparatively small. 

The total number of Churches in 1851, was 423 

1840, " 268 

155 
Thus it will be seen that while the inhabitants of the Province have been 
increasing in number, progressing in wealth and in the improvement of the 
country, and promoting their educational institutions, they have not forgot- 
ten to erect places of worship where each may do public homage to his Cre- 
ator according to the dictates of his own conscience. And it may be re- 
marked, as not the least favorable characteristic of the Province, that, 
generally speaking, every professor of Christianity adheres to his own Church 
without molesting or " bringing railing accusations" against those who may 
differ from him ; hence religious discord is almost unknown, and peace on 
this subject at least, generally prevails throughout the whole community. 



ADDENDA. 



Since the foregoing pages went to press, some important alterations have 
been made by the New Brunswick Legislature, in the civil divisions, judi- 
cial proceedings, &c, of the Province, a brief outline of which we insert in 
this place. 

CIVIL DIVISIONS. 

County of York. — The parish of Manners Sutton is situate on the 
south-west side of the river Saint John, and is formed by part of what for- 
merly constituted the south-western sec ion of the parish of Kingsclear, and 
about one-half the breadth of Prince William, bounded by a line running 
from Lake George parallel to the adjoining parish lines, until it meets the 
county of Charlotte. 

The parish of Canterbury was erected out of that of Dumfries, and 
is situate in the most western portion of the county of York 

County of Albert.— The parish of Harvey was divided, and a new 
parish, called Alma, erected ; the latter is situate in the western part of 
the county, and abuts on the Bay of Fundy, and the counties of St. John 
and King's. 

County of Gloucester. — All the northern part of the parish of San- 
marez, formed by lines running from Tracadie : westerly to the parish of 
Bathurst, was constituted a separate parish, called Inker man. 

County of Kent. — The southern part of the parish of Carleton, bound- 
ed by a line running westerly from the sea shore, was created into a separ- 
ate parish, by the name of Palmersion. 






259 

Thus there are now one hundred and nine parishes in the Province of 
New Brunswick. 

JUDICIAL. 

By a recent enactment, " every male inhabitant, between the ages of 
twenty-one and sixty years, being a British subject, and possessed, in the 
county where he resides, of real or personal estate, or both together, of the 
value of one hundred pounds, shall be qualified to serve as a grand or petit 
juror." 

Twenty-one petit jurors, and twenty-four grand jurors, have to be sum- 
moned to attend each court. 

" The petit jury, for the trial of all civil causes, investigations, and is- 
sues, and also informations on the exchequer side of the court, shall consist 
of seven persons, and for criminal cases, of twelve. * * * * And 
if they cannot agree within two hours, any five of their number may return 
a verdict ; but in all criminal cases, the jury must be unanimous. * * * 
The practice of keeping a jury without meat, drink, or any other comfort, 
until they agree upon their verdict, is hereby abolished." 

Every petit juror receives five shillings per day for every day's atten- 
dance, and six pence per mile for travelling fees — Chap. XXIV., 1855. 

The remarks made in a former part of this volume, page 32, have thus, 
in a great measure, been applied, as far as this Province is concerned ; and 
it is to be hoped that, from the admirable working, already experienced, of 
the new law respecting jurors, that the other Provinces will soon follow in 
the same train of judicial reform. 

POLITICAL. 

The Postmaster General is now made a political oflicer, and a member 
of the Executive Council, with a salary of £600 per annum ; and power 
is given to his Excellency to appoint a Postmaster at Saint John, who is to 
have a salary of £400 per annum. 

A Board of Works has been organized, and a Chief Commissioner ap- 
pointed, with a salary of £600 per annum. He has all the powers pertain- 
ing to a supervisor ; and all the great roads and bridges in the Province, 
but not the bye-roads, are under the control of this department. 

An act has recently been passed, giving the inhabitants in each parish 
power to elect commissioners, to expend any monies that may be granted 
for the bye-roads in their respective parishes. 

We cannot see any good reason why this important reform cannot be car- 
ried a little further ; so that the inhabitants in each parish should have the 
road monies in gross, in order that they might divide, as necessity might re- 
quire. Such a course would save much time and monies spent in legisla- 
tion ; besides, the amount granted would, no doubt, be expended more in 
accordance with the requirements of the people. 



260 



CHAPTER IT. 



BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY OF NOVA SCOTIA. 

In our account of New Brunswick, we have given a sketch of the disco- 
very and early history of America, with other archeological memoranda re- 
lating to the various treaties entered into by the two great nations then con- 
tending for supremacy in the northern section of this continent ; and we 
have endeavored very briefly to notice the events of those times, so far as 
New Brunswick is concerned. For this information, as well as for the fol- 
lowing, we are indebted to various sources, but principally to Haliburton's 
History of Nova Scotia,— an author to whom these Colonies are under great 
obligations for having preserved their early history from oblivion. 

We propose now to give some account of the early history of Nova Sco- 
tia, which, as well as New Brunswick, formed a part of ancient Arcadie', 
or New France ; the details of which are replete with vicissitudes of no or- 
dinary character, arising from the keen contests carried for its' ownership, 
which we may attribute to its prominent peninsular position, giving it the 
command of the northern seas, as well as to its vast capabilities, as regards 
its agricultural, its piscatory, its forest and mineral resources. 

After the discovery of the American continent, in 3492, by Columbus, 
whose name it should have borne, as due reward for his thus "acquiring 
for one half of the world a knowledge of the other," there were various ad- 
venturers who filled up parts of the outline thus opened. Americus Ves- 
pucius, a Florentine, enjoyed the honor denied to Columbus— that of naming 
the continent; his voyage was made in 1499. Two years previously, 
in 1497, Cabot took possession of a large portion of these northern shores, 
in the name of Henry VII. of England. In 1525, Vevazzano endeavored 
to lay claim to some part of these possessions, in the name of Francis I. of 
France. 

In 1498, Cabot discovered Newfoundland, of which Sir Humphrey Gil- 
bert took more formal possession, in the name of England, in 1583. In 
1590, Cape Breton was resorted to by persons from England ; but the ear- 
liest attempt at the colonization of Nova Scotia appears to have been made 
in 1598 by the Marquis de la Roche, under Henry the Fourth of France. 
A more general knowledge of this coast, and its geographical character, was 
reserved for De Monts, whose researches have been already mentioned, and 
who was appointed by the same sovereign, in 1604, Governor General of 
New France, which embraced Nova Scotia as well as a large additional por- 
tion of the northern part of the continent, extending from the 40th to the 
46th degrees of north latitude. 

However, notwithstanding the possession thus taken by France, " the 
discovery of Cabot, the formal possession taken by Sir Humphrey, and the 
actual residence of Sir John Gilbert, his brother, are considered by the 



261 

English, as the foundation of the right and title of the Crown of England, 
not only to the territory of Newfoundland, and the fishery on its banks, but 
to the whole of its possessions in North America." Haliburton, vol. 1, p 8. 

De Monts, in his voyage in 1604, landed at Liverpool, then the residence 
of a French trader, named Kossignol, who was trading with the savages 
without licence, and whose property he therefore confiscated. The name of 
the great lake at the head of the Liverpool river, in Queens' county, is the 
only memorial left of this French adventurer. 

Numerous settlements and forts were established by De Monts on vari- 
ous parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which was also included in 
his government. This enterprizing navigator, having explored various parts 
of the Bay of Fundy coast, returned to Port Royal (now Annapolis) and 
there established a town, wlrch was afterwards granted by France to Mon- 
sieur Pontrincourt, on condition that he should attend to the conversion of 
the natives. This settlement was destroyed in 1618 by Sir Samuel Argyle, 
Governor of Virginia, in the name of Great Britain. 

In the year 1621, the whole territory, from the St. Croix to the St. Law- 
rence, was granted by James I. to Sir William Alexander, afterwards Earl 
of Stirling , he was invested with all but royal prerogatives. The princi- 
pal reservations made in this extensive grant, which was afterwards removed 
and extended by Charles I , was a tenth part of all the royal mines of gold 
and silver, and five per cent on the imports and exports, after the explora- 
tion of the first seven years. This nobleman gave to Acadia, or L'Aca- 
die, the name of Nova Scotia or New Scotland. He, with several of his 
countrymen of distinction, fitted out fourteen vessels and effected some set- 
tlements ; they captured several French transports laden with ordnance and 
stores bound from Quebec to Nova Scotia. 

Sir William Alexander conveyed to Claude de la Tqur, a Frenchman who 
had married an English lady, and been created one of the Baronets of Nova 
Scotia, the whole of that Province, except Isle Royale, now called Cape 
Breton. At this time La Tour's son had possession of Cape Sable for the 
French, and repulsed his father. Subsequently, however, La Tour returned 
to England, and engaged with Lord Stirling, to cede to his son the Cape 
and a large portion of the adjoining territory. 

Great Britain was now master of this country, but, by the treaty of St. 
Germains, in 1632, Charles I unceremoniously agreed to render to France 
the Province of Acadia ; whereupon Louis XIII divided it among a number 
of his subjects. Charnise was first sent from France, as Commander-in- 
Chief, whose landing was opposed by La Tour the younger ; the contest 
ended in the overthrow and death of the former, when the latter married 
his widow, and claimed Nova Scotia as his own property, grounding his 
rights on his father's agreement with Lord Stirling, but holding it for the 
Crown of France. 

In 1634 Cromwell re-conquered the country, and granted it to Sir Thomas 
Temple ; William Croune also obtained a larger tract ; the former purchased 
La Tour's claim, opened a trade, and expended about .£16,000 in the erec- 
tion of fortifications. 

But by the treaty of Breda,* in 1667, it was again ceded to France, and 
that Government agreed to refund to its former possessor, Sir Thomas Tem- 
ple, the £16,000 expended by him, but failed in doing so. During all this 
time, but little progress was made in the improvement of the country ; the 

*A city of Brabant. 



262 

inhabitants, who were principally French, were disheartened by the frequent 
changes taking place in their allegiance, which was sometimes due to one 
sovereign and sometimes to another ; so that almost all the settlements in 
the Colony were confined to the banks of the rivers emptying into the Bay 
of Fundy ; while Port Royal, La Have, and Chedabucto were the principal 
fortifications. The French population, it is said, at this time, did not exceed 
1000 persons. 

By the conditions annexed to this treaty England was to hold Montserrat, 
St. Christopher's, and Antigua, in the West Indies ; Charles II. thereupon 
ordered his subjects to relinquish all their rights to France, when the latter 
power commenced strengthening the fortifications, and the erection of new 
ones at Canseau, and Pesequid, new called Windsor. 

During a period of twenty years peace which succeeded the treaty of 
Breda, this section of America did not make much progress in the scale of 
general improvements ; and the fortifications were allowed to decay ; so that, 
on the declaration of war against France by Great Britain, in 1686, Sir 
William Phipps, a native of Massachusetts, was placed in command of 700 
men, one frigate of 40 guns, and two ships, one of 16 and another of 8 
guns, and in the following year attacked Port Royal which was dilapidated, 
and only protected by 90 troops ; the governor, Manival, entered into a 
verbal treaty with him, and Phipps then re embarked with bis men, com- 
pelling Manival and 40 of his soldiers to accompany him. Before return- 
ing to Massachusetts, Phipps attacked Chedabucto, but the garrison per- 
sisted in its defence until the English had set fire to their buildings, when 
terms of capitulation were obtained. As Port Rojal was now unprotected 
by military fortifications, its inhabitants were plundered by pirates, who 
hanged some of them, burnt their houses and destroyed their cattle. 

The Governor, Villabon, who now arrived from France, to take command 
of Acadia, found the English in possession of Port Royal, which was not 
protected by any troops ; he re-took the place, and, being re-inforced by two 
ships and aided by the Indians, who were partial to France, but would ally 
themselves to which ever party would pay them best, he captured Pesequid 
in the year 1696. In consequence of this act, the Bostonians dispatched 
Col. Church, with 500 men, who attacked Nova Scotia, landing at Beau 
Basin, (a beautiful basin) now Fort Cumberland, and ravaged the country, 
giving quarter to the French, but killing the Indians, and destroying the 
dykes and other improvements made by the French settlers 

This truly deplorable state of things continued for some time, the inhabi- 
tants being continually harassed, their property destroyed, and themselves 
made to swear allegiance to each successful party under promises of protec- 
tion, which were not always kept. But by the treaty of Ryswick,* in 1696, 
Acadia was restored to France. By this treaty an attempt was made by 
the two powers, once more at peace, to establish a boundary line between 
their respective territories, which was fixed at the river St. Croix, now the 
western boundary of New Brunswick. But as most of the names of these 
rivers were in the Indian language, it became a question which of two rivers 
on that coast was the one intended. 

The long continuance, and the harassing character of the wars had en- 
gendered among the subjects of the two nations, the strongest feelings of 
animosity against each other ; so that continual encroachments were made 
on their respective limits ; and as Louis XIV. had acknowledged the Pre- 
*A town in South Holland. 



263 

tender as king of England, .war was again declared on the 4th of May, 1710. 
This war lasted eleven years, during which period the people of this coun- 
try were again subjected to most serious privations and difficulties ; and in 
order to retaliate for some injuries, real or supposed, " an armament, con- 
sisting of three men-of-war, fourteen transports, and 36 whale-boats, having 
on board 550 soldiers, under the immediate command of Col. Church, was 
fitted out in 1704, for the purpose of ravaging the French settlements in 
Nova Scotia." Haliburton ; v. 1, p. 83. 

In 1707 the New England States dispatched a force of 1000 men with 
two ships of war, against Nova Scotia. The first place attacked was Port 
Royal where they were repulsed two different times, and the enterprize was 
for the time abandoned. In 1710 an armament was fitted out under the 
command of General Nickelson, an able officer, consisting of four men-of- 
war and the Starbomb, and Massachusetts Provincial Galley, with twenty- 
nine transports and a tender conveying five regiments of men, who arrived 
off Port Royal in September. At the entrance to the harbor one of the 
transports was wrecked and 26 men with all the stores on board were lost. 
There were only 260 effective men in garrison to oppose this formidable 
force, and the commandant entered into articles of capitulation on the 2d 
of October, when 258 soldiers, and some others, amounting in the whole to 
481 persons, were taken prisoners, all of whom were transported to Rock- 
elle. The English only lost 14 or 15 men, besides those who perished in 
the transport. General Nickelson left 200 marines, and 250 volunteers in 
garrison, under the command of Colonel Veteto, who had been appointed 
Governor of the country. Even after the reduction of this fort, the Aca- 
dians entertained hopes of its being retaken by France, and it became ne- 
cessary to dispatch a detachment of regulars to render them submissive. 
Resistance was offered, and mafiy of the soldiers were killed ; 30 or 40 were 
taken prisoners by the Acadians and Indians, at a place called Bloody Creek, 
about twelve miles from the fort, on the road leading to Halifax. 

By the time, however, that they had abandoned these hopes, and " in the 
midst of these troubles, peace was concluded between England and France, 
on the 11th April, 1712. By the 12th article of the treaty, all Nova 
Scotia, with its ancient boundaries, as also the city of Port Boyal, and the 
inhabitants of the same, were ceded to Great Britain." — Haliburton; vol. 
18. 91. And the same writer (p. 82) says, " that the Court of Versailles 
was now for ever deprived of a Colony of which it had never known the 
value." 

By this celebrated treaty, known as the treaty of Utrecht,* the whole 
of this vast territory became British possession. Port Royal, afterwards 
called Annapolis (Anne's city) was strongly garrisoned, and remained the 
capital of JSova Scotia until 1749, when the Provincial Head Quurters were 
changed to Halifax. General Nickelson, who took so active a part in the 
subjugation of Nova Scotia, was appointed its commander-in-chief in 1714, 
and held the government until 1719, when he was succeeded by Colonel 
Philips, under whose administration a Council of eleven was formed. Dur- 
ing this period, the population of Nova Scotia principally consisted of 
French, who were allowed for some time to remain free from magisterial 
control, or provincial taxation, and were permitted to settle their own dis- 
putes, which they did by appointing twenty-four deputies, from whose deci- 
sion an appeal could be mad e to the Council, the latter being convened to 

*The capital of a Province of that name in the Netherlands. 



264 

hear such appeals three times in the year. This state of things continued 
for some time, during which about 900 of these French Neutrals, as these 
disaffected people were called, took the oath of allegiance to the British Gov- 
ernment, which seems, up to this time, to have acted towards them with 
great liberality. There were about 1250 of these men about Annapolis, 
and probably 3000 residing in other parts of the Province ; and their strong 
predelections for the land "from which they derived their origin, their lan- 
guage and their customs," rendered it difficult to persuade them to become 
loyal subjects of England. 

During this time Cape Breton, which was called by Yevazzano, Isle Du 
Cape, and by the French Isle Royale, remained in the possession of France. 
It probably received its present name from some native of Brittany in re- 
membrance of the land of his origin. Previously, to 1714 it had been unin- 
habited, but it did not long remain so, for, from its advantageous position as 
a fishing station and for carrying on trade with Canada, as well as its agri- 
cultural capabilities and mineral wealth, settlements were commenced in 
1720, and upon a neck of land on the south side of English Harbor * * 
were laid the foundations of a town, two miles and a half in circumference, 
which was called Louisburg, in honor of the King of France." It was 
encompassed by a rampart from 80 to 40 feet in height, built of stone, and 
by a ditch eighty feet in width, except for a space of two hundred yards, 
bordering on the sea, which was inclosed by a line of pickets and a dyke. 

This place was inaccessible to an attack from shipping in consequence of 
the shallowness of the water, and the numerous reefs ; and it was otherwise 
well protected by the bastions which were very formidable, consisting of six, 
besides eight batteries, which contained embrasures for 148 cannon, and 16 
mortars, of which only forty-five were mounted. 

In addition to these works of defence, there were several batteries, one 
of thirty guns, carrying 28 lb. shot, on the island at the entrance to the har- 
bor; at the bottom of the harbor was erected the royal battery of 28 can- 
non, 42 pounders and two eighteen pounders, and at the draw-bridge near 
the west gate was a circular battery of 16 guns, carrying 14 lb. shot. Thus 
it will be observed that, at this early period, Louisburg was considered a 
place of no small importance ; it had its governor, and on its fortifications, 
which were 25 years in building, were expended thirty million of livres, 
nearly £1,500.000 sterling, which must have been repaid by the profits of 
the fisheries, the latter annually producing 1,800,000 quintals of scale 
fish. 

During this time the English were extending their improvements in Nova 
Scotia proper, but not attending much to the reparation of the old, or the 
erection of new fortifications, for their defence, against the time, now shortly 
to return, when war should be again declared ; and the Indians and French 
neutrals, but especially the former, were continuing their fatal depredations 
on the lives and properties of the few settlers who were scattered along iso- 
lated spots on the sea-board. 

A fishing establishment had been erected by the English at Canso, which 
was attacked by the Indians and plundered of ,£20,000 worth of merchan- 
dize; several lives were lost, and the perpetrators of this outrage made 
their escape to Louisburg, which afforded them a ready asylum. Many other 
horrifying barbarities were inflicted by these savages, who were very numer- 
ous, upon the peaceable people who were using every endeavor to gain a 
subsistence for themselves and their families. u At Burreli's island, near 



265 

Canso, they killed and scalped a Captain Watkins, two men, a woman and 
child." In 1823, they captured seven sail of fishing vessels, and took a 
large number of prisoners, nine of whom they cruelly put to death. Seven 
of these men were re-captured, after a hard struggle, with 15,000 quintals 
of fish ; and on the arrival of an English vessel in the harbor of Lunen- 
burg, where the captured boats and prisoners had been taken, the latter were, 
with difficulty, removed. Complaint being made to the Governor of Louis- 
burg of these outrages in time of peace, his answer was that the Indians 
were an independent race, over whom he had no control ; and that, if there 
were any French among them they were some of the neutrals of Nova Sco- 
tia. Thus encouraged, the savages attacked the garrison of Annapolis, 
burnt two houses, killed and scalped two persons, and took several prisoners. 
These Indians are said to have belonged to the Abenaqui nation, a race now 
nearly extinct, and who were led by Baron Castine, a son of the old Baron of that 
name, by an Indian woman. The old Baron, a native of Beam, in France, 
had spent his life among the savages, married after their manner, and was 
expert in the language and usages, he was actually idolized by them, as well 
as feared by the English, and had been appointed their great chief and leader. 
The Indians still continued hostilities, until their destruction at Kennebec 
by an expedition, consisting of 208 men, from Massachusetts, in 1T24. 

On the 20th of March, 1744, France declared war against Great Britain ; 
on the news of this event reaching Cape Breton, M Du Quesnal, who had 
succeeded M. Constable as Governor of the island, fitted out an armament 
from Louisburg, consisting of two sloops of war of eight guns, two swivels, 
and small arms, with 94 men each, and other small vessels with 70 sol- 
diers on board, under the command of M. Du Vivier; the expedition was 
afterwards joined by 200 Indians. The first attack was made on the Eng- 
lish garrison at Canseau, which, being feebly fortified, immediately ca- 
pitulated. 

The next attempt was made upon Annapolis (which, at that time, could 
not muster more than eighty men) by M. Luttre, a French Priest, at the 
head of 300 Indians. He kept the place in constant alarm for four weeks, 
awaiting reinforcements from Louisburg, which did not arrive ; and, as the 
fortifications were dilapidated, the garrison must have surrendered to this 
savage host, but for the timely arrival of four companies from New England, 
to its assistance. The savages then overran the country, scalping and com- 
mitting every species of barbarity they could invent on the inhabitants, in 
consequence of which the women and children were removed to Boston. A 
body of 900 Indians, commanded by M. Morin, was afterwards sent to lay 
siege to Annapolis, but it was recalled to the relief of Louisburg, which by 
that time was attacked both by land and sea. 

Soon after the dispatching of these irregular forces, Du Quesnal, the 
Governor of Cape Breton, died, and was succeeded by Duchambon, when 
" the captive garrison of Canseau, with other prisoners taken at sea, and 
carried into Louisburg, were sent to Boston." 

In 1745, an expedition, consisting of four thousand men, and ten vessels, 
the largest not carrying more than twenty guns, with some armed sloops, 
was fitted out from Massachusetts and the other colonies, under General 
Pepperal. This armament was joined by Commodore Warren, from the 
West India station, who afterwards received reinforcements, till his fleet 
numbered ten ships, each carrying from 40 to 64 guns. The two comman- 
ders, on appearing before Louisburg on the 7th of May, sent a summons to 

36 



266 



• 



Buchambon, who refused to surrender, and the siege was commenced. By 
the 28th of that month, a great impression had been made on the enemy's 
works, though the British lost 189 men in one attack. At this time, Com- 
modore Warren captured a French 74-gun ship, having 560 men and a 
great quantity of military stores on board, which proved of vast importance 
to the besiegers. On the 16th of June following, the garrison capitulated ; 
it included 650 regular troops, 1310 militia, and, with the crew of the Vigi- 
lant, the vessel previously captured, amounted in all to 4130 men, who were 
transported to Rochfort. The fort was of great strength ; but the garrison 
lost, during the siege, which lasted 49 days, no less than 300 troops. Upon 
the news of this success reaching England, General Pepperal and Commo- 
dore Warren were created Baronets of Great Britain. 

At the time of this siege, the island of Saint John's was possessed by 
the English, and many of the former inhabitants had been sent to France. 
On one occasion, a party of twenty-eight persons landing on the island were 
either killed or taken prisoners by the Indians. 

In the spring of 1745, the troops left in charge of Louisburg were re- 
lieved by two regiments and three companies of regulars. Early in the 
summer of this year, a body of 1700 men was sent from Canada to Nova 
Scotia ; and, at the same time, France also dispatched a most powerful fleet 
from Europe, consisting of eleven ships of the line, twenty frigates, five 
ships and bombs, with a number of tenders and transports, in all 70 vessels, 
having on board 3150 disciplined troops, and forming one of the strongest 
armaments ever sent to America by that power ; indeed, had it arrived in 
safety, it would probably have subdued the principal part of British Ameri- 
ca, — but its complete destruction was effected by a number of fortuitous 
circumstances, without its being engaged by any British force ; for, after a 
passage of ninety days, only seven of this formidable fleet arrived in Che- 
bucto (Halifax) harbor ; it met with many and unparalleled disasters at 
sea, which so disabled and discouraged its officers, that the Duke d'Anville, 
its commander, and many of the subalterns, died through grief and disap- 
pointment. The remainder, with such of the fleet as the elements had 
spared, returned to France, without much disturbing the peace of Nova 
Scotia. On hearing of this movement, the colonies sent 470 troops to 
Grand Pri (Horton), who, from the rigour of the winter, which closed in 
immediately on their arrival, and the attacks of about 600 French and In- 
dians, were reduced to great extremities ; 70 were killed, 27 wounded, and 
100 taken prisoners ; the remainder afterwards capitulated. 

That portion of the unfortunate French fleet which had reached France, 
under Admiral Jonquiere, the second in command, having been re-inforced 
by 38 sail, and again sent for the same destination, was met by the 
English Admirals, Anson and Warren, who, after a well-contested battle, 
captured the principal part of it, with nearly 5,000 prisoners. It is es- 
timated that the French sustained a loss, by this battle, of about £1,500,- 
000. 

On the 7th of October, 1748, a treaty of peace was concluded between 
the two nations, which has taken the name of the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, 
one of the conditions of which was, the cession of Cape Breton to France, 
a measure which caused great dissatisfaction to the Provincials who had 
fought so nobly for it. 

Peace having again been proclaimed, it might have been supposed that 
the improvement of the Province of Nova Scotia would be among the first 



50 


acres. 


10 


(< 


200 


u 


300 


a 


400 


tc 


600 


a 



267 

objects of the British Government, as it had made, from its unsettled state, 
little or no progress, in this respect, during the half century that had elaps- 
ed. The inhabitants, on both sides, seem to have learned more as to the 
arts of war than those of peace ; and the small interest manifested by Great 
Britain in the prosperity of the colony, led the French to believe that little 
was cared for it beyond the mere possession, and that things would be other- 
wise if it were owned by France. This impression, coupled with the feel- 
ings of animosity to the British which had before been infused into their 
minds, gave rise to a continuance of barbarous outrages, in which they were 
joined by the Indians, who had always been attached to them, as well as to 
their creed — the Roman Catholic. 

However, this state of things induced the Governors of Nova Scotia to 
encourage the further settlement of the country ; and a plan was originated, 
which was sanctioned by the mother country, of bestowing a tract of land 
on every person who had adopted, or would adopt, the colony as his home. 
In order to encourage the soldiers, who were discharged on the peace, to 
settle in the Province, the following scale was adopted : 
Every private soldier or seamen received, free from taxes for 

two years, 
And for every additional member of his family, 
Every ensign in the army, 

" lieutenant " 

" captain " 
Every person above that rank, 

With proportionate allowances for the number and increase of their fami- 
lies. All those desirous of emigrating were to be conveyed to the colony, 
and maintained, with their families, for twelve months after their arrival, at 
the expense of the Government. They were also to be supplied with wea- 
pons of defence, and the tools necessary for the clearing the land, erection 
of houses, &c. 

In consequence of the advantages thus held out, 3760 families arrived 
from Great Britain, in the year 1749, at the harbor of Chebucto, a spot in- 
judiciously selected, as the soil was bad, and the only recommendations were 
the excellence of the harbor and the facilities it presented for the prosecu- 
tion of the fisheries. But it is difficult to imagine why such a rocky, un- 
promising locality should have been chosen, when many other parts of the 
Province are as advantageously situated with regard to the fisheries, 
and afford far greater agricultural capabilities. The cost of bringing out 
these settlers, amounting to £40,000, was paid by the Imperial Govern- 
ment. 

This settlement being formed, together with some others in different parts 
of the Province, the most necessary consideration was the construction of a 
government ; and a council of six was immediately appointed, and organ- 
ized a civic government, the establishment of which was celebrated by a 
general salute from the ships in the harbor. The honorable Edward Corn- 
wallis was appointed Governor. 

It was at this period that old Chebucto received the name of Halifax, in 
honor of Lord Halifax, then a member of the British Ministry ; its forests 
were immediately cleared, its streets laid off, houses were erected for the 
Governor and the people, the number of whom, including soldiers and sail- 
ors, amounted, by the fall of the year, to 5,000. 

In addition to the above »ura, Parliarasnt continued to make large annual 



268 

grants, in aid of the settlement, until 1655, at which time they had amount- 
ed, collectively, to .£417,584. 

Disputes continued to exist between the French and English as to the 
boundaries of Nova Scotia, which had not been defined by the treaty of 
Utrecht. At first, however, the new settlers were on good terms both with 
the Indians and Acadians ; but this state of things did not last long, as 
France continuing its attempts to extend and misrepresent the boundaries 
of ancient Acadia, even as laid down by itself, incited the neutrals, as they 
were called, to molest the English, which they did in every possible way. 
Complaints of these outrages to the French Governor of Louisburg were 
made, without avail. At this time there was a large settlement of Acadi- 
ans at Lower Horton, 60 miles from Halifax, which extended eight miles in 
length, and contained about 1000 families or 7,000 persons. An English 
fort had been built at Pesiquid, (Windsor.) 

The Indians renewed their numerous attacks on the English settlers, 
which were carried to such an extent that the most rigid and energetic 
means were necessarily adopted to effect the extermination of the savages, 
and the punishment of such of the French as supplied them with arms and 
ammunition. Prompt measures were taken and these cruel depredators were 
driven to their retreats, and large numbers of them destroyed. 

The question of boundary being still unsettled, the Governor of Quebec 
sent two vessels with 600 men, under M. La Corne, to take possession of 
Bay Verte as a part of Canada, which encouraged the French at Chignecto 
to rise in open rebellion against the English. Major Lawrence was sent in 
the spring of 1750, to reduce them to obedience ; at his approach they burned 
their town to ashes, forsook their lands and joined M. La Corne, which re- 
inforced him to the extent of 1,500 armed men. Major Lawrence not being 
able to cope with this formidable body, returned to Halifax for more troops. 
He was again sent, with 1000 men, to Chignecto, where he found the French 
in possession of the lands they had previously deserted, and, together with 
the Indians, strongly entrenched to dispute his landing ; he soon, however, 
routed them, when they escaped to Fort Beau Sejour, which had recently 
been erected by M. La Corne. Major Lawrence immediately built another 
fort on the opposite side of the river, giving it his own name, which the 
district still bears. The result of the operations which followed, ending in 
the cipture of Fort Beau Sejour in 1755, has been more fully noticed un- 
der the head of New Brunswick. 

During the period we have been describing, no important settlement had 
been made by the English in addition to that of Halifax, but on the return 
of Governor Cornwallis to England, Thomas Hopson wa? sworn into office, 
during whose administration Lunenburg was settled by 1453 Germans, who 
suffered greatly, as those at Halifax had done, from the attacks of the wild 
man, of the forest, and many live3 were sacrificed to his barbarity. 

The incursions of the French still continued, but were somewhat re- 
pressed by an expedition from Massachusetts of 2000 men raised and com- 
manded by Col. Winslow, who, joining Col. Monckton and being under his 
command, reduced Beau Sejour with its dependant forts, as well as that on 
the river Saint John. The greatest difficulty, however, with which the 
Government had to contend was occasioned by the Indians, who were sup- 
plied with arms and ammunition by the French neutrals ; the latter at this 
time (1756) being scattered over the Pi 

ttout iijOW tetu 



269 

However, the 10th of September, 1755, has to record the most exciting 
scene of those times; on that day, the whole French population, under a 
preconcerted plan of the English, were ordered to assemble in their respec- 
tive liabilities, at a certain hour to hear the king's command, the nature of 
which they little expected —little indeed did they imagine that their compul- 
sory exodus from the country was to be the purport of their sentence. These 
people had, it is true, given the British Government much trouble, and cost 
it many valuable lives ; but this was occasioned partly by their attach- 
ment to the land of their fathers, and partly by the frequent change of gov- 
ernment, for which they were not to blame. 

The number of this unfortunate people, who were collected at Grand Pri, 
was as follows : — 

Men (heads of families) 483 

Women 33T 

Sons 527 

Daughters 576 



Total 1,923 souls. 

Their stock consisted of: — 

Oxen 1,269 

Cows 1,537 

Young cattle 5,070 

Horses 93 

Sheep 8,660 

Hogs 4,197 

All of which were confiscated to the Government; leaving them only their 
money and other moveables ; they were then sent, in small parties, to differ- 
ent parts of the then British dominions on this continent. 

Some of these unfortunate people made their escape to the woods, but, as 
their country was laid waste, they could not subsist, and were obliged to 
yield themselves up to the authorities. In the district of Minas alone, 255 
houses, 276 barns, 155 outhouses, 11 mills, and one church were des- 
troyed. 

Although they received their sentence, and bore their confinement with 
fortitude, still when the hour of embarkation arrived, " the weakness of 
human nature prevailed, and they were overpowered with the sense of their 
miseries." 

The French settled in Annapolis and Cumberland disobeyed and made 
their escape ; some were forced by starvation to return, and were shipped to 
the other Colonies, others remained with the Indians, and some reached 
Canada. Those of Cumberland, being more rebellious in their character, 
were more difficult to subdue. On the arrival of the soldiery, 253 houses, 
with a great quantity of wheat and flax, were burned, which was beheld by 
the inhabitants concealed in some of the adjoining woods ; but when they 
saw their chapel set on fire, a party of them returned, and attacked the in- 
vaders, killing 29 rank and file, and afterwards made their retreat to the 
forest. 

In consequence of the scattered character of these settlements, it was 
found impossible to subjugate the whole of this numerous people to terms of 
the king's decree ; so that only about 7,000 of them were collected at this 
tim« aad distributed among tha ofchar colonies ; 1000 of them were lond«d 

InMtttiefdtstitttticnLn'M 



270 

415 in Pennsylvania, where they were sold with their own consent, and the 
remainder to other Provinces. The portion sent to Georgia made efforts to 
return, but on reaching Boston, were prevented by Governor Lawrence. 
They then memorialized the king, but without avail ; they were doomed to 
exist in a strange land, without means of support, and the innocent suffer- 
ing with the guilty, which we at this day must consider a hard sentence. 
How far, indeed, their deportation, as a last resort, was judicious, none but 
those well acquainted with the circumstances of the times, can explain ; tur- 
bulent, troublesome, and implacably hostile to the English, as most of them 
no doubt were, the steps taken seem harsh, and in our eyes, scarcely justi- 
fiable. Speaking of this measure, Haliburton observes, that the whole course 
pursued towards these people " is doubtless a stain on the Provincial Coun- 
cils, and we shall not attempt to justify that which all good men have agreed 
to condemn." 

About 600 of these men were removed from New York to the Island of 
St. Domingo, where they suffered from pestilence ; the remnant were, at 
their own request, sent to Louisiana, where they became settled. Many 
were afterwards permitted to return to Nova Scotia, and their descendants 
have since become peaceable and inoffensive settlers. They are numerous 
in many localities in this Province, as well as in Prince Edward Island and 
New Brunswick ; in the latter there are about 40,000 scattered over its va- 
rious districts. These pioneers of the forests of ancient Acadia have indeed 
undergone most unparalleled vicissitudes and hardships, most of which were 
caused by their own rebellious conduct. 

No doubt the sympathy for the sufferings of these people, which must 
have been felt by the French Government, was one stimulus to the renewal 
of the war with England, which was declared in May, 1756. 

The Island of Cape Breton was again soon to become the scene of warlike 
operations. The trade and settlement of this Colony had made great ad- 
vances under the French, and the fortifications of Louisburg had been much 
strengthened. This had been caused probably by the threatening state of 
affairs between the two nations, the facilities here presented for the prosecu- 
tion of the fisheries, and the commanding aspect of the Island with regard 
to Canada. 

Halifax, being an excellent harbor, and in a central part of Nova Scotia, 
was fixed upon by the Military Council held in Boston, early in 1756, as 
the rendezvous of the British forces destined for the reduction of Cape 
Breton. Admiral Holborne arrived at the former port early in July with 
a fleet, consisting of upwards of thirty ships of war and 5,000 English 
troops, who were joined by 6,000 men from New York, intended for an at- 
tack on Louisburg ; but it was deferred in consequence of the place being 
defended by 6,000 regulars, 3,000 natives and 1800 Indians, together with 
a powerful fleet of 17 ships of the line and three frigates. On the 20th of 
August, Admiral Holborne appeared before the harbor with 15 ships of the 
line, 4 frigates and a fire ship, for the purpose of reconnoitering it, but on 
ascertaining its strength, and seeing the French Admiral give the signal to 
unmoor, he determined not to risk an engagement with his force so inferior to 
the enemy's, and returned to Halifax. Having been re-inforccd by four 
ships of the line, he re-appeared before Louisburg about the middle of Sep- 
tember ; but La Motte, the French Admiral, declined the offered battle. 
The English squadron unfortunately continued to cruise before the harbor 
till the 26th, when it was overtaken by a furious storm, causing the losi of 



271 

one ship with half her crew. The rest having received damage then re- 
turned to Britain. 

Early in May, 1758, Admiral Boscawen reached Halifax, from whence 
he sailed soon after, and arrived off the harbor of Louisburg on the 2d of 
June, with a fleet of 151 ships, accompanied by General Amherst, com- 
manding an army of 14,000 men. 

Here we will state, for the information of the reader, the great strength 
of this fortress, which we glean from an article in " Montgomery Martin's " 
well-known works on the British Colonies, and which that author says was 
written "by an impartial Frenchman," under the title of "Genuine let- 
ters, &c, relative to Cape Breton and St. John." The town was regular- 
ly built, and was three miles in circumference, with wharves for shipping. 
The fortifications consisted of two bastions and two demi-bastions, three 
gates, and near the fort and citadel was a handsome parade. The materials 
of which the stone buildings for the use of the troops and officers were con- 
structed, were brought from Europe. The port, three miles in length, and 
upwards of one in breadth at its narrowest place, with a careening and win- 
tering ground for ships, was protected by a battery level with the surface of 
the water, consisting of thirty-six 24 pounders. The harbor was de- 
fended by a cavalier -, with twelve embrasures. The royal battery, at the 
bottom of the bay and a mile from the town, contained thirty pieces of 
cannon, namely, twenty-eight 36 pounders, and two 18 pounders. The 
population of the town, exclusive of the troops, was about 5,000 men. It 
had its governor, supreme council, courts of law and admiralty, with a ge- 
neral hospital, and the education of the young girls of Louisburg was con- 
fided to the nuns. We extract also from Haliburton, that the strength of 
the garrison, before the siege, consisted of 2,500 regular troops, 300 mili- 
tia, formed from the inhabitants, under the command of Chevalier Duceor, 
and who were re-inforced near the end of the siege, by 350 Canadians and 
Indians. 

The harbor was secured by six ships of the line, and five frigates, 
three of which were sunk across the entrance in order to render it inacces- 
sible to the English shipping. The French had settled in various places on 
the island, the principal of which were Bras D'Or, Sydney, St. Peters, 
and Arichat, where the fisheries were carried on to a great extent, giving 
employment to 27,000 men, and 600 vessels, exclusive of boats. 

The Government of France, it will be seen, set no little store upon this 
place, which they had so carefully fostered and fortified at this early period 
of its history. 

After a lapse of six days of stormy weather, the English began to disem- 
bark, under the command of Governor Lawrence and Generals Whitmore 
and Wolfe ; a few men were lost in the landing, in consequence of the swell 
of the sea, and the fire of the enemy. General Wolfe, with 2000 men, oc- 
cupied the light-house battery, which was abandoned at his approach, and 
several powerful batteries were erected on the spot, the fire from which soon 
silenced the island battery. Three of the French ships in the harbor caught 
fire and were burnt ; two more made their escape ; the Echo and a 64-gun 
ship were taken by Admiral Boscawen, and a 74-gun ship was run ashore 
and destroyed. Thus the English became masters of the harbor, with a loss 
of only 7 men killed and 9 wounded. The French, seeing the weakness of 
their position, offered to capitulate on terms which were refused by the 
English. The latter threatened to storm the place both by sea and land if 



272 

the garrison did not surrender themselves prisoners of war. This was at 
first refused, but was agreed to on the 26th July, 1758. 

This signal defeat of the French, at a loss of 400 men to the English, 
gave the latter possession of all Cape Breton, together with the fortress of 
Louisburg ; in which were 231 pieces of cannon, 18 mortars, and a large 
quantity of stores and ammunition. The officers and soldiers, in all 5.637 
men, were sent to England, and the merchants and others to France, in Eng- 
lish vessels. The British, fearing this fortress might again fall into the 
hands of the French, dismantled and totally destroyed it, in which state it 
has ever since remained, comparatively unknown and unvalued. 

After the capture of Cape Breton, Lord Bollo was sent to the island of 
St. John, which, from the fertility of its soil, and the asylum it had afforded 
to the French neutrals and the Indians, was a great acquisition to the Eng- 
lish. He took possession of the Governor's quarters, where he found several 
scalps of Englishmen, whom the savages had brutally murdered, induced by 
the encouragement held out and the premium paid for each by the French. 
The number of inhabitants on this island was 4,100, who laid down their 
arms and submitted ; it was well stocked with cattle and considerable agri- 
cultural improvements had been made. 

Up to this time, there had been no representative government in the col- 
ony, but few courts of law, and those with almost unlimited powers. In 
this year, however, a House of Assembly was elected, consisting of sixteen 
members, of which Halifax returned four, Lunenburg two, and every other 
place having fifty qualified electors, was to send two representatives. The 
first assembly was called by Governor Lawrence, at Halifax, on the 2nd of 
October, 1758 ; the council consisted of four members. This Legislature, 
thus formed, not having any precedents to guide them in the order or man- 
agement of the business of the country, found it very difficult to act : and 
what added to this difficulty was a disagreement between the Assembly and 
Council, which retarded the business. Still, on the whole, many useful 
laws were passed for the government of the colony, and the prorogation 
took place on the 17th April, 1759 after a long and arduous session. 

At this period, there were about 200,000 acres of cultivated land in the 
Province, and increased encouragement was given to those who would settle 
on the wilderness lands. A proclamation was issued, containing most liber- 
al terms for the grants, and the settlers were protected by strong garrisons 
placed in different parts of the colony. Cape Breton having been conquer- 
ed, and Quebec taken by General Wolfe, on the 18th September, 1759, the 
war w T as prosecuted by Great Britain in Canada with such vigour as to ef- 
fect its complete reduction, the news of which gave a fresh stimulus to the 
inhabitants of Nova Scotia. 

On the 11th of October, Mr. Lawrence, the distinguished Governor of 
Nova Scotia, died, much lamented. A monument to his memory was erect- 
ed at Halifax. 

The death of King George the Second, on the 24th of October, caused 
a dissolution of the Assembly. A new house, consisting of 24 members, 
was elected, who were convened at Halifax on the 1st July, 1761. During 
this session, a formal treaty w r as executed with Joseph Argeinault, chief of 
the Monguash tribe of Indians ; at the conclusion of which, the hatchet was 
formally buried by him in the name of his tribe, in token of submission. 

Peace and tranquillity being thus restored between the Colonists and the 
savage races, the next step was to encourage emigration to the Province. 



273 

In consequence of representations being made public as to the suitableness 
of its soil and climate for the abode of man, 580 persons arrived from the 
other continental colonies, and 200 from Ireland, who laid the foundations 
of these rich and productive settlements, skirting the basin of Minas, and 
the head of the Bay of Fundy. The Indian tribes, however, who were 
still numerous, notwithstanding their promises of pacification, would fre- 
quently break out and disturb the settlers, so much so as materially to re- 
tard the progress of settlement. 

The Government now gave assistance to the people for building new and 
repairing the old dykes round the marshes which had been destroyed at the 
time of the transportation of the Acadians. Ship building was begun at Li- 
verpool, where three fishing vessels were laid down, besides sixteen already 
owned, and settlements were extending in every direction. During these 
favorable symptoms of progress, the Province was thrown into consterna- 
tion by the arrival in Newfoundland of a French fleet, consisting of four 
ships of the line and other armaments, and the surrender of its forts. Under 
the fear of an attack from the Indians, and the remaining portion of French 
neutrals, martial law was established, and a militia organized. As a further 
security for the protection of the colony, 180 of the Acadians were trans- 
ported to Massachusetts, but on account of the burthen imposed on that 
Colony by those formerly sent, they were not received, and were brought 
back to Nova Scotia. In the meantime, a squadron was fitted out at Bali- 
fax for Newfoundland, under Lord Colville, who re-took all the forts on that 
island, with a loss of only twenty men. On the 10th February, peace was 
again established between England and France, and a treaty signed at Paris, 
which is known as the Treaty of Versailles, by which France surrendered 
all claim to the old colonies, as well as all the present British possessions 
in North America, to the Crown of England. The neutrals were, therefore, 
allowed to remain ; and their descendants form, at this day, a large portion of 
the peaceable and loyal inhabitants of the Colony. 

HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 

Peace again restored ; a day of general thanksgiving was 

appointed, 1763 

Population of Nova Scotia, which included New Brunswick, 

&c, 13,000, Do. 

Survey of British North America commenced, Do. 

Township of Granville granted, Do. 

Stamp Act passed, to which Canada and Nova Scotia sub- 
mitted, 1765 

The country bordering on the St. John river erected into a 

county, called Sunbury, 1765 

Cape Breton erected into a county, by the name it now 

bears, Do. 

Stamp Act repealed, 1766 

Imperial act passed, imposing duties on tea, &c, 1767 

Township of Yarmouth granted, in 153 shares of 666 acres 

each, Do 

Township of Clare laid out and settled by thpse of the Aca- 
dians who returned from exile, 1768 

Parliamentary estimate for the Province was £4,875, 1769 

ST 



274 



Trade between Great Britain and the American colonies em- 
ployed 1078 ships and 28.910 seamen. Imports, <£3,- 
370,000- exports, £3,924,606, 1769 

Township of Argyle granted, containing 187 square miles, 1771 

Population of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, including 2.10O 

Acadiaas, was 19,120 ; Indians 865, 1772 

Tea destroyed at Boston, 1773 

That portion of America known as the " old colonies" revolt- 
ed, and destroyed property on the Saint John river, at 
Charlottetown, P. h. Island, and several places in Nova 
Scotia, 1775 

The inhabitants called upon to take the oath of allegiance, 
and infantry raised from the militia to the number of 
810 men ; 500 ordered to Halifax for its protection, Do. 

All persons selected from the Acadians, to act as couriers, 
, paid at the rate of five pounds per day ; free grants of 
land given to royalists, Do. 

Martial law proclaimed, and all intercourse with the revolted 

colonies prohibited, Do. 

A sloop of war, the Vulture, placed in the Bay of Fundy, 

for the protection of the neighboring settlements, 1776 

About 10,000 royalists leave Boston and arrive in Halifax, Do. 

On the 4th July, the Americans declare their independence, Do. 

Much disaffection among the people at Minas and Cumber- 
land ; many refused to take the oath of allegiance, 1777 

The rebellious Americans seized an armed merchant ship at 

Pictou, Do. 

France acknowledges the independence of the revolted colo- 
nies, 1778 

Great numbers of Indians assemble on the St. John river to 
make war upon the Englihh— the last threat of Indian 
war, 1779 

Militia ordered to do duty at Halifax, 1 780 

Population estimated at 12,000, 1781 

Imperial Parliament authorizes the King to conclude peace 
with the United States, and articles provisionally signed 
at Paris, 1782 

Treaty of peace between Great Britain and France, 1783 

The refugees who arrived in Nova Scotia estimated at 20,000, Do. 

New Brunswick and Cape Breton constituted separate gov- 
ernments, 1784 

The island of St. John (its name changed to that of Prince 

Edward in 1799) also established, with a Governor, &c, Do. 

Population of Nova Scotia proper estimated at 20,000, Do. 

The number of saw mills in the Province estimated at 90, 1785 

King's College erected at Windsor in 1788 

And received an endowment of £444, and a grant of X500 

for the purchase of land, 1789 

The Imperial Parliament grants £1000 }K?r annum to King's 
College, ■ ') 

mm Mmi w tjgAm tim\ Britain iTOfl 



275 

A treaty of amity, commerce and navigation entered into be- 
tween Great Britain and the United States, 1794 

Two ships, part of a French squadron, captured and brought 

into Halifax, 1795 

A definite treaty of peace entered into between Great Britain, 

France, &c, 1802 

King's College established by Royal charter. Do. 

Peace between England and France dissolved, 1803 

Revenue of Nova Scotia, £20.577, 1806 

Organization of militia, Do. 

Mail from Prince Edward Island brought to Pictou on the 

ice, except half a mile, 1810 

War declared by America against Great Britain, 1812 

Militia organized, and defensive preparations made by the 

colony, Do. 

A grant of 20,000 acres of land passed to King's College, 1813 

The Chesapeake captured and brought into Halifax, by His 

Majesty's frigate Shannon, Do. 

American coast declared in a state of blockade by Admiral 

Cochrane, 1814 

Treaty of peace with France, Do. 

A fleet of 17 vessels, with four regiments, left Halifax for 
that part of the American coast bordering on New 
Brunswick, and after taking the forts, captured all the 
vessels in the harbors, 1814 

Treaty of Ghent entered into between the United States and 

Great Britain, Do. 

Peace concluded between these two powers, 1815 

Trustees of Pictou Academy incorporated ; and a stage-coach 

commenced to run between Halifax and Windsor, 1816 

£40,000 worth of property destroyed at Halifax by fire, Do. 

Population of Halifax, 11,156, and of the Province, 78,345, 1818 

Cape Breton re-annexed to Nova Scotia, 1820 

The sum of £1000 granted to Dalhousie College, 1821 

Act passed authorising the construction of the Shubenacadie 

Canal, 1824 

131 vessels, of the gross amount of 15,535 tons, were built 
in Nova Scotia. The number of vessels owned in the 
Province was 1.031. amounting to 52 779 tons, 1826 

Annapolis Royal was the provincial head quarters from 1710 
to 1749, when Halifax became the seat of government. 

2,000 emigrants arrived in Cape Breton, 1841 

ABORIGINES. 

That America, when first discovered, was inhabited by a race of human 
beings, is beyond dispute ; but as to their origin or previous course the pages 
of history is blank and there is nothing but some vague traditions to give 
rise to our conjectures. All that the more civilized nations have done seems 
to have been to appropriate the country they called their own, and this has 
been, and indeed, still continues to be, the case up to the present time ; the 
northern portion of the continent being nearly equally divided between Great 



276 

Britain and the United States. The natives are fast approaching to the 
point of extinction, and those who do exist can scarcely be said to be sub- 
ject to any law, except when they commit any criminal act, and are left, 
like the wild Arabs, to wander over the country, with some few exceptions, 
without any home or abiding place. 

As the Indian races were the sole human inhabitants of this vast region, 
being " masters of all they surveyed," — the whole American continent — 
it is no wonder that they considered the " pale faces" of Europe to be en- 
croachers on their extensive domain. Their ferocious habits, their physical 
strength, their warlike propensities, their agility and skill in the asc of their 
weapons, and their deadly opposition to every other race, rendered it an ex- 
tremely hazardous undertaking for a European to land on their shores, much 
more so to penetrate into the country. 

These people, less civilized and fiercer than their southern neighbors, were 
divided into different nations, and, though the habits and customs were ge- 
nerally similar, each nation spoke a language peculiar to itself, and varied 
in many respects from the others. Boundaries were established between 
some of tbem, usually consisting of rivers and lakes, or, perhaps, the sea 
shore ; and if one nation encroached on the territory or hunting ground of 
the other, war ensued. Some dwelt on the sea coasts, while others remained 
on the rivers and lakes of the interior ; fishing, fowling, and hunting, in all 
of which they were very expert, were their principal employments. The 
skins of wild animals formed their clothing ; their dwellings, or wigwams, 
were of the most simple order, being almost all built in a conical form, the 
first which suggests itself to the unskilled architect, and covered with the 
bark of trees. Before their introduction to employment by Europeans, the 
bow and arrow were their principal weapons, and they were skilful in the 
manufacture of stones into hatchets or tomahawks, which they well knew 
how to plunge, with a sure and deadly blow, into the objects of their at- 
tack. 

They were well acquainted too, with the means of inflicting the most 
barbarous tortures ; so much so that imagination alone can set bounds to the 
sufferings which those of our American forefathers, who were so unfortu- 
nate as to fall into their hands, had to endure. It is almost difficult in these 
times to bring the mind to realize the awful cruelties, which none but sava- 
ges could be capable of perpetrating, and which were inflicted on the early 
colonists, thrown as it were, helplessly, on a shore distant more than 3.000 
miles from their native country, in an almost unbounded forest, swarming 
with these savages, who embraced every occasion of raising their warhoops ; 
and their onslaughts were too often followed by scalping and otherwise cru- 
elly torturing their prisoners, as well as burning or plundering their habita- 
tions, wherever they were defenceless. They then returned to their hiding 
places, evading pursuit, but prepared to renew their attacks whenever oppor- 
tunity offered. 

It may perhaps be asked,why do we, at this distant period, dwell upon a state 
of things which in these more civilized days, can never return. The reply 
will be that we ought fully to understand, and to appreciate the debt of 
gratitude which the inhabitants of these now thriving and peaceful countries 
owe to those pioneers who thus paved our way, subdued those savage tribes, 
and deprived them of the power of continuing their depredations. 

There were few of the early settlers in America who suffered more from 
the Indians than those who emigrated to ancient Acadia ; and what en- 



277 

hanced their sufferings in this respect, was the continual wars between Eng- 
land and France, and afterwards between the "old colonies" and England, 
for the possession of those lands, originally belonging to the savages. It 
must be confessed that these wars tended but little to christianise or civilize 
the wild men of the forest ; indeed each of the European nations rather be- 
came themselves savages in their turn, for neither hesitated to use every 
means, by presents and bribery, to obtain the assistance of the native tribes, 
and to encourage their barbarities — a course which either of these nations, 
at the present day, would shudder to adopt. 

The principal part of the Indian tribes of this part of the continent, be- 
came, at an early period, converts to the Roman Catholic faith ; and this 
tended much to attach them to the French, for the reasons, the settlers of 
that nation being of the same belief, and having been the means of their 
conversion ; and the bitter animosity which then existed between Protestants 
and Catholics, which was still further increased by the violent hostility so 
long promoted and carried on between the subjects of these powerful na- 
tions. 

The number of Indians who inhabited Acadia, it is impossible at this 
distant day to estimate : but it must, judging from the numbers that are re- 
corded to have been present at various engagements, have amounted to seve- 
ral thousands : and when they had to fight with the white men, the differ- 
ent nations appear to have lost sight of their own quarrels, whether as to 
boundaries or otherwise, and to have assembled at the battle field to indulge 
in war, which was their greatest pleasure. Dr. Gesner says, in his work 
on the Industrial Resources of Nova Scotia, p. 1 , that, " at an early pe- 
riod, the number of Indian warriors was not less than 3,000. This warlike 
people, and the first French settlers, formed a powerful barrier to the intro- 
duction of British colonists." 

We have before adverted to the harassing nature of the hostilities between 
the English and these tribes ; and to the treaty made in 1763 with the 
chief Argeinault, who then accepted King George as the " great father" of 
his nation. On this condition the Provincial Government agreed to protect 
the fur trade, by setting such a value upon the several articles as was agreed 
upon between the contracting parties. 

From that time, every possible encouragement has been held out to these 
people by the local governments ; large tracts of land have been set apart 
for their use in different parts of both Provinces, and the Legislatures 
have, whenever their necessities required it, granted large sums, and 
superintended the expenditures, for their relief. In both Provinces 
money has been granted to Roman Catholic missionaries engaged in 
their instruction ; and a school for Indian children has been established 
in the county of York, by the New Brunswick Government. There 
are upwards of 50,000 acres of land reserved for them in that Pro- 
vince, as well as large tracts in Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. Commis- 
sioners are employed by all the colonies to advance their interests, and to 
encourage them in the cultivation of their lands. Recently some of them 
have been induced to settle on these lands, where, in some instances, they 
have built houses after the English fashion, and keep farm stock. They 
are sometimes employed in the lumber woods, and more frequently as la- 
borers on the farms. 

But their predilections for hunting, basket making, and the wigwam, 
prevent them from pursuing other avocations for any length of time. An 



, 444 males 
Micmacs \ m fema] 



278 

effort has recently been made, by the Protestants of Nova Scotia, to prose- 
litise them ; a missionary, the Rev. Mr. Rand, who has made himself ac- 
quainted with their language, has been sent amongst them ; some portions 
of the scriptures, and a first reading book, have been translated into the 
Micmac language ; and they are being taught to read them. The society 
which has been formed **or this purpose, has established an industrial in- 
stitute among them, where their quill boxes, tubs, buckets, brooms, baskets 
and other articles of their manufacture are received; agents are appointed 
to collect them, and every means adopted to secure them a full value for 
their labor. Many of the most prominent and philanthropic men in the 
Provinces are promoters of this object. The sum of <£371 was subscribed 
in 1854, and devoted to the amelioration of their condition, in addition to the 
large sums annually granted by the Legislatures of the lower colonies. 

In the early history of these Provinces, there were probably several na- 
tions of Indians inhabiting this section of America, but they are now re- 
duced to two, the Micmacs and the Milicetes, who speak different languages. 
The former are a robust race, and principally inhabit the sea shore ; they 
are the most numerous. The latter are less robust, and their predilections 
are more in favor of the interior parts of the country. 

In 1841, Mr. Perley found the number of Indians in New Brunswick to 
be as follows : — 

Milicetes \ 218 males 
Milicetes J 224 femaleg> 

The total number was, therefore, 1377 
In the census of 1851, the number in the same Province were, 

Males 567 

Females 541 

Total 1116 

Decrease in ten years 26 1 

In Nova Scotia in 1851, there were 

Females 524 ( Total 1056 ' P rinci P all y Micmacs. 

In Prince Edward Island, in 1848, there were 330, almost all Micmacs. 

From the proximity of this island to the other two colonies, and the mi- 
gratory habits of this people, it is probable that a portion of them may have 
been included in the census for each of these colonies. It is now estimated 
that, at present, their aggregate number does not exceed 2 000 souls. 

Though there are no endemical diseases among them, they are, from their 
manner of life, exposed to every epidemic that may be brought into the 
country by emigrants or sailors ; and, from their objections to medical treat- 
ment, they, and especially the children, are often cut off by disease. So 
that, unless some special effort is made on their behalf, the whole of these 
tribes, once so formidable to Europeans, will speedily be extinct. 

EARTHQUAKES. 

This Province, and its sister colonies, have, as well as the United States, 
been repeatedly subject to slight shocks of earthquakes. 

The cause of these terrestrial phenomena has not yet been satisfactorily 
ascertained. Until recently, the subject did not engage much of the atten- 
tion of scientific men, and those who have devoted any time to it differ much 



279 

as to the real cause ; come supposing that they are produced by the same 
agency as that which gives rise to volcanic eruptions, — while others affirm 
that they are caused by the unequal attractions of the moon on the earth's 
surface at its apogee and perigee : and others again attribute them to some 
secret and unknown action of electricity. The subject is worth much phil- 
osophical enquiry, for the sake of the advancement of science, and not that we 
anticipate such knowledge as may enable us to stay the mighty agent that 
thus powerfully operates upon our planet, but rather, if the natural causes 
and their operations could be discovered, we might be led more fully to adore 
that first great cause and grand agent who gives existence to this, as well 
as to all the other phenomena of the universe. 

The first notice we have of earthquakes in these Provinces is to be found 
in Haliburton, vol. 1, p. 63 ; in which there is an account of one which 
took place on the 26th of January, 1668, and which was felt over the whole 
of North America. " But Canada was the chief seat of its concussions : 
the doors opened and shut of themselves, with a fearful clattering ; the bells 
rang without being touched ; the walls split assunder ; the floors separated 
and fell down ; the fields put on the appearance of precipices, and the moun- 
tains seemed to be moving out of their places ; many small rivers and foun- 
tains were dried up ; in others, the water became sulphurous, and in some 
the channel in which they ran was so altered, that it could not be distin- 
guished ; many trees were torn up, and thrown to a considerable distance ; 
some mountains appeared to be much broken and moved ; half-way between 
Tadousac and Quebec, two mountains were shaken down, and formed a point 
of land, which extended half a quarter of a league into the river St. Law- 
rence. The island Aux Coudres became larger than it was before, and the 
channel of the river became much altered. — Memor. Am. Arts and Science, 
1st, 263, and 1st Holmes, 389." 

The above extract records the most extraordinary phenomenon of this 
nature ever known on this part of the continent of America, though there 
were numerous stcries related by the Indians, at the time of its discovery, 
of similar concussions, which produced the most wonderful results ; but we 
have no reliable data to enable us to give any description of these events. 

A little before sunrise, on the morning of the 22nd of May, 1817, three 
slight shocks were felt in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the State of 
Maine. They all took place within the short space of fifteen minutes, and 
were accompanied by a rumbling noise like thunder ; buildings were shaken, 
and their contents moved, so that the people became alarmed. Slight shocks 
were also felt in different parts of these Provinces in 1827 and 1839, but 
they produced no serious effects. 

About seven o'clock in the morning of the 8th of February, 1855, ano- 
ther of these phenomena visited Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and a part 
of the adjacent States. The thermometer, on the day previous, was observ- 
ed to be lower than had been known, at that period, in the Province for sev- 
eral years. The duration of the motion was very short— not more, in some 
localities, than twenty seconds ; in other parts of the Province it lasted a 
little longer : and in others there were several concussions felt ; in some 
places slight shocks were perceived some days after. During the time of 
ths heaviest concussions, several stone and other buildings wero shaken, and 
furniture dtepteoed j it produced a tumbling noise, like a chimney on firo, 
$t iktm% thunder* h wm Ml moat seniibly at the Bend, Buiies Val©, 

IMmIkWi mi tihw In plww is* Nnw towtek> wbtn At rwU&i 



280 

motion was said to continue longer ; and it is the duration of the shock that 
produces the greatest effects. No material injury, however, was done in 
any part of the country. 

BOUNDARIES. 

The Province of Nova Scotia, like that of New Brunswick, is a depen- 
dency of the British Empire ; being included in the General Government 
of British North America. Nova Scotia proper, is a somewhat rectangular 
peninsula, connected with New Brunswick on the north east by a narrow 
isthmus only fifteen miles in width, and it is bounded on the south and south 
east by the Atlantic ocean ; on the north west by the Bay of Fundy and 
Chignecto Bay, which, with the isthmus before mentioned, separate it from 
New Brunswick ; and north easterly by the Straits of Northumberland, 
the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic ocean. Its area, including the 
island of Cape Breton, is nearly 12,000,000 acres ; and it is situate between 
43° 26', and 47° 4' north latitude, and 59° 37' and 66° 23' west 
longitude. 

The Island of Cape Breton is situate to the north eastward of the Penin- 
sula, from which it is separated by the Gut of Canso. The Atlantic ocean 
bounds it on the east, and a part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence dividing it 
from Newfoundland on the north ; its western shore is also washed by the 
Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

Note. — Nova Scotia (as described in the Commission to Lord Durham, 
on his memorable mission to British North America) is " bounded on the 
westward by a line drawn from Cape Sable across the entrance to the cen- 
tre of the Bay of Fundy ; on the northward by a line drawn along the cen- 
tre of the said Bay to the mouth of the Musquat river (now called the Mis- 
siquash), by the said river to its source ; and from thence by a due east line 
across the isthmus into the Bay of Verte." The inland part of this boun- 
dary is not yet defined ; it is somewhat difficult to determine the source of 
the Missiquash in consequence of its numerous large arms extending into 
the country. This would best be done by tracing a minute survey of this 
river and its numerous tributories, and ascertaining their extent, and the 
volume of water they respectively supply! 



281 



CIVIL DIVISIONS. 

(This Province, like that of New Brunswick, is divided into counties and 
townships.) 



Names and Population of 


the Counties. 






Population. 




Counties. 


County Towns. 


1838. 


1851. 


Increase. 


Halifax, 


City of Halifax, 


28,570 


39,112 


1 


Lunenburg, 


. Lunenburg, 


12,058 


16,395 




Queen's, 


Liverpool, 


5,798 


7,256 




Shelburne, 


Shelburne, 


6,831 


10,622 


Increase 


Yarmouth, 


Yarmouth, 


9,189 


13,142 




Digby, 


Digby, 


9,269 


12,252 


in 


Annapolis, 


Annapolis, 


11,989 


14,285 


► 


King's, 


Kentville, 


13,709 


14,138 


Nova Scotia proper , 


Hant's, 


Windsor, 


11,399 


14,330 




Cumberland, 


Amherst, 


7,572 


14,339 


53,611. 


Colchester, 


Truro, 


11,225 


15,469 




Pictou, 


Pictou, 


21,449 


25,693 




Guysborough, 
Sydney, 


Guysborough, 
Antigonish, 


7,447 
7,103 


10,838 
13,467 


. 


Richmond, 
Capo Breton, 
Victoria, 


Arichat, 
Sydney, > 
Bedeque, \ 


7,667 
14,111 


10,381 
17,500 
10,100 


Increase in Cape 
> Breton, 
23,478. 


Inverness, 


Port Hood, 


13,642 


10,917 


Totals. — Coun 


ties, 18 


199,028 


^276,117 77,089 



GEOGRAPHY. 

This Province, including both the Peninsula, or Nova Scotia proper, and 
the Island of Cape Breton, has a sea board of 900 miles, inclusive of the 
indentations of the coast ; it is externally, every where indented by excellent 
harbors, and, internally, it is literally a net work of rivers, streams and lakes, 
many of which afford ship navigation. Its principal geopraphical character- 
istics will be found comprized in the following synopsis .— 

Bays and Harbors. — The Bays of Fundy and Chignecto divide this 
Province from New Brunswick, and have been already described, together 
with their remarkable tides, under the head of the Geography of the latter 
Province. 

Minas Channel, Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay, form an easterly 
arm of the Bay of Fundy, extending eighty miles into the country, and 
afford excellent ship communication with the interior of the central section 
of Nova Scotia proper. 

Annapolis Basin, on the north west of the Province, is a beautiful inland 
Basin, connected with the Bay of Fundy by a narrow inlet, known as An- 
napolis Gut ; it is situate immediately opposite to, and forty-five miles from 
the harbor of Saint John in New Brunswick. 

38 



282 

St. Mary's Bay is a spacious sheet of water, separated from the Bay of 
Fundy by Digby Neck, and the islands at its south-western extremity. 
This Bay extends to within eight miles of Annapolis Basin, and affords a 
good harbor for shipping, 

Abaptic Harbor is situate to the westward of the southern extremity of 
the Province ; it is studded with small islands. 

There are numerous bays and inlets between this Bay and Halifax har- 
bor, affording good shelter and anchorage for ships of various sizes ; the 
principal are Barrington, Shelburne, and Londonderry harbors ; and Ma- 
hone and Margaret's Bays, all in the western part of the Province, and on 
the Atlantic coast. 

Halifax Harbor, formerly called Chebucto Bay, is situate on the Atlan- 
tic coast, near the centre of Nova Scotia proper. This is one of the best 
and most spacious harbors in North America ; it is capable of affording 
shelter and safe anchorage to the fleet, both naval and mercantile, of the 
most powerful maritime nation in the world ; and it possesses the recom- 
mendation of being free from ice all the year round. 

The principal harbors between Halifax and Chedabucto Bay, are Jedore, 
Ship, Spry, Mushaboo, Sheet, and Beaver harbors, many of which may be 
safely resorted to by shipping ; the Bay of Islands, Liscomb Harbor, St. 
Mary's Bay, Fisherman's Harbor, and Isaac's Harbor. Speaking of the 
latter, Captain Bayfield, R. N., says, it " has good holding ground, with 
sufficient depth of water for any vessel." He also says Country Harbor 
"is navigable for the largest ships, twelve mile3 from its entrance," but 
requires care in navigating its mouth. Torbay, Whitehaven, Raspberry 
Harbor, Dover Bay, and Canso Harbor are small harbors to the east of 
Halifax, many of which are recommended by the authority we have quoted 
above, as affording good shelter from storms and safe anchorage. Admiral 
Owen, who surveyed this coast by order of the British Government, gives 
a most favorable opinion on Whitehaven ; he speaks of it as a splendid and 
most commodious port, affording great facilities of approach. 

Chedabucto Bay forms a part of the separation between Nova Scotia 
and Cape Breton ; and "is wide and spacious ; it is bold on both shores, 
and free from danger ; on its southern side, which is high and nearly straight. 
are Foxes Island, and Crow Harbor ;" the former is a safe resort for vessels 
pursuing the far famed mackarel fishery of the place; the latter "is on 
the south side of Chedabucto Bay, and is capable of containing ships of 
war of the fifth rate, merchant vessels, &c." 

Milford Hai^bor, forming the westernmost entrance of the Bay, is a 
good harbor, offering every facility for the ingress and safe anchorage of 
ships. 

The Gut of Canso is about fifteen miles long, and averages over three 
quarters of a mile in length. It is formed by Cape Breton Island on the 
north-east, and Nova Scotia proper on the south-west. Though there are 
some dangerous rocks along its margins, still it has deep water, and numer- 
ous indentations, affording shelter for vessels of the largest class ; and it is 
a very important ship communication from the Atlantic, through the Colony 
of Nova Scotia, to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and Northumberland Straits 

Saint George's Bay lies northerly from the Gut of Canso. It is a lai 
Bay, and contains several small harbors, presenting facilities for the loading 
and unloading small class vessels. This Bay is the largest estuary in the 
north-eastern section of the Province. 



283 

Merigonish is an excellent bar-harbor, and lies seven miles easterly of 
the entrance to that of Pictou. It is, like most of the harbors on the north- 
eastern coast of this and the adjoining Province, subject to shifting sand- 
bars. 

Pictou harbor £ ' has a bar at its mouth of fifteen feet, inside of which is 
a capacious and beautiful basin," with from five to nine fathoms of water. 
It is a very important harbor, in consequence of the coal mines in the vicini- 
ty, and the other trade of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. 

Carriboo, Tatamagouche, and Eamsheg or Wallace Harbors, are shoal, 
but are easy of ingress, and possess safe anchorage for vessels of various 



Pugwash is an excellent harbor — in fact, one of the best on this coast. 
Ships of the largest class can enter, and take in or discharge their loads ; 
the water is deep close to the banks of the inner basin, where a small navy 
might ride in safety. 

The several harbors at the entrances to Philip, Goose, and Skinimicas 
rivers, are shoal, only accessible to small vessels, with the exception of the 
first, which will admit those of a somewhat larger size. 

Bay Verte, already described under the head of the Geography of New 
Brunswick, is a large estuary, perfectly safe for vessels of a large class, 
which have to lie at some distance from the head of the Bay. The harbor 
at the mouth of the Tidnish river can be entered by schooners and small 
class brigs. The mouth of this river is the reputed termination, northerly, 
of the Province of Nova Scotia. 

Cape Breton Island. — From the Gut of Canso, around the north-west- 
ern, northern, and eastern coasts of this island, there are no harbors of any 
note, except Aspy Bay, which lies south of Cape North, until we arrive at 
St. Ann's Bay, which is a safe and spacious harbor, with a narrow entrance 
of four and a half fathoms at low water. In the inner basin, which is shel- 
tered from all winds, the water is from five to ten fathoms in depth, with a 
muddy bottom. 

Bras oV Or is an inland lake, which has two outlets into the Atlantic, 
known, respectively, as the Great and Little Bras d'Or. This lake, and its 
outlets, nearly divide the island into two parts. It is about to be connected 
with St. Peter's Bay by means of a canal. 

Sydney Harbor, the entrance to which lies to the south-east of St. Ann's, 
is an excellent harbor, having " a safe and secure entrance, with soundings 
regular from sea into five fathoms." The water is from five to ten fathoms 
deep in the inner basin, and " is capable of containing the whole navy of 
Great Britain." We quote from Captain Bayfield. 

The bays between this harbor and Chedabucto Bay are Cow, Mire', 
Louisburg, Gabarus, and St. Peter's Bays ; some of them, and especially 
Louisburg, which was the great naval station of the French on these shores, 
form good and safe harbors for variously sized vessels. 

Port Hood. — Recently this was a good harbor, but the natural protec- 
tion which prevented the encroachments of the sand being now removed, 
it is unsafe, and the water shallow. 

Capes and Headlands. — Cape Chignecto is at the head of the Bay of 
Fundy, and the extreme south-west point of the county of Cumberland. 
Capes Blomidon, in Colchester, and Split, in King's, are on each side, and 
at the bead of Minas Channel. 

Cape MM is tho most southern point of 8»Me bland, on the Atlantic 



284 

coast of Nova Scotia. It must not be confounded with the Sable Island 
hereafter described, which has been the scene of so many disastrous ship- 
wrecks. 

Cape Sambro and Penant Point are situate south of the harbor of Hali- 
fax, and form the southern extremity of the county of that name. Cape 
Canso is the most eastern extremity of Nova Scotia, and is often the first 
land sighted by steamers and other vessels on their passage to Halifax, Red 
Head lies north of Chedabucto Bay. 

Cape St. George is situate to the north-west of St. George's Bay. Cape 
Porcupine, which is 560 feet high, is opposite Plaster Cove, where the beds 
of gypsum are exhaustless. This is the narrowest part of the Gut of Can- 
so, and the point where the telegraph line crosses the Strait. 

Capes John and Malagash lie respectively on the east and west sides of 
the entrance to Tatamagouche harbor. 

Cape Breton. — Cape St. Lawrence and Cape North form together the 
most northerly extremity of the Island. 

Cape Egmont is the southerly entrance to Aspy Bay. 

Point Aconi is situate between the Great and Little Bras d'Or. 

Cape Murgain lies between Cow and Mire' Bays, and Cape Breton is sit- 
uate south of the entrance to Mire' Bay. 

Lakes. — Lake George, Vaughan, St. John and Pubnico are all in Yar- 
mouth county. 

Lake Rossignol is of considerable size, and forms, with lakes Port Med- 
way, Malaga and other small lakes, nearly a complete chain across Queen's 
county. Sherbrook Lake is in Lunenburg county. 

There is a chain of lakes extending from Dartmouth, at the harbor of 
Halifax, towards the head of Cobequid Bay: the principal of which — Grand 
Lake — and several others, empty themselves into that bay by the Shubena- 
cadie. This chain is now being connected with Halifax harbor by means of 
a canal — an undertaking which has long been talked of, and was first pro- 
posed for the passage of ships, but is now being adapted to carry small boats 
or barges only. 

Ship Harbor Lake empties itself into the sea to the eastward of Halifax, 
and is situate near the centre of that county. Between this lake and Hali- 
fax harbor is a succession of small lakes, the principal of which are Major, 
Porter's, and Chezzetcook lakes, all in the county of Halifax. All the sec- 
tion of Nova Scotia proper, to the eastward of and including that county, 
is interspersed with small lakes, while the districts to the eastward and north- 
ward possess but few of any note. 

Lakes of Cape Breton, — Ainslie Lake makes its exit into the Straits 
of Northumberland north of Seal Island. 

The centre of this island consists of a chain of lakes and inland bays, as 
Whykokomagh Bay, Basin Saint George, Straits of Barra, and the Bras 
d'Ors (already described), which nearly divide the island into two parts. 
These lakes have numerous arms extending in every direction, and affording 
excellent internal navigation. The only remaining inland water of any note 
is Loch Lomond, which empties itself into the ocean east of St. Peters Bay. 

Rivers.— Beginning at the head of Cumberland Basin, the principal 
rivers of Nova Scotia arc the Missiquash, the boundary between this Pro- 
vince and New Brunswick, the La Planche, Napan, Macan, and Ilebert ; 
none of which are navigable for '.vessels. Apple river is a small stream 
emptying itself into Chignecto Bay. 



285 

There are a great number of streams which fall into Minas Basin and 
Cobequid Bay. Those on the north and east side are Partridge, Little and 
Great Bass, Folly, De Bert, Chiganois, North and Salmon rivers, -which 
take their rise principally among the hills forming the Cobequid range in 
Cumberland, Colchester, and Pictou counties. Those running into the same 
bays on the south shore are : the Shubenacadie, which has numerous tribu- 
tories, known as the Stewiac, Saint Andrew's, Gay's, Nine Mile and Five 
Mile rivers, which have their sources in Colchester and Hants ; the Shuben- 
acadie has its principal origin in the lakes before mentioned, within a few 
miles of Halifax ; the Avon, whose branches are numerous, the largest being 
the Kennetcook, Meander, Saint Croix, Half-way, and Gaspereaux ; the 
sources are chiefly in Hants county. The Cornwallis, Cunard, and Habitant 
rivers rise in King's county, and fall into the Minas Basin west of the Avon. 

The Annapolis River, discharging itself into Annapolis Basin, has, 
amongst its numerous smaller affluents, the Nictau and the Fales rivers. 

From St. Mary's Bay we come to the Sissiboo, the Monteugan, and the 
Salmon Rivers, in Digby county, and the Salmon and Tusket in Yarmouth ; 
the latter, a stream of some importance, takes its rise in Digby and empties 
itself into Abuptic harbor. Proceeding along the coast and passing some 
inconsiderable streams, we come to the Clyde, Roseway and Jordan, which 
rise in Shelborne ; the Broad, Liverpool, and Port Medway rivers, the latter 
being the largest which have their origin among the lakes of Queen's coun- 
ty ; the Lahave, one of the most extensive rivers in this region, Petite, 
Gold and Middle rivers, all originate in Lunenburg county, and the two lat- 
ter fall into Mahone Bay. Between this bay and Halifax harbor there are 
a number of small streams, but none of them of any extent. Sackville 
river falls into Bedford Basin, which forms part of Halifax harbor ; around 
the westerly margin of this harbor and river,, crossing the latter, is now be- 
ing constructed the Atlantic portion of the European and North American 
Railway. 

From Halifax harbor to Cape Canso the streams are numerous, but not 
extensive; the principal in Halifax county, are the Salmon, Musquodoboit, 
and the two branches of Middle and Mosure rivers. Liscomb is a small 
river taking its rise partly in Halifax and partly in Guysborough. 

St. Marys River, having numerous tributory streams, is the most ex- 
tensive on the Atlantic shore of the Province ; it has its sources in Pictou 
and Sydney counties, interlacing with the streams falling into the Nor- 
thumberland Straits, and flows through Guysborough, making its exit in St. 
Mary's Bay. 

Country harbor river also has its rise in, and runs through Guysborough, 
and as well as Salmon river, falls into Chedabucto bay. 

The principal streams between the Gut of Canso -end Pictou, are, Black, 
Pombhet, South, and West rivers ; the two latter have their discharge in 
Antigonish harbor. All these rivers originate in and run through Sydney 
county and flow into St. George's Bay. 

The principal rivers of Pictou county are, Barney's, French and Suther- 
land rivers, which empty themselves into Merigomish harbor ; East river, 
famed for its coals, Middle and West river, all falling into Pictou harbor ; 
and River John discharging itself into Brule harbor, which lies east, and 
forms a part of Tatmagouche harbor. 

Waugh, French, Tatmagouche, and Dewars rivers, all take their rise in 
the high lands of Colchester, and fall into Tatmagouche harbor. 



286 

From hence to the boundary of New Brunswick at Bay Verte, the prin- 
cipal rivers are the Wallace, Pugwash, Philip, Goose, Shinimecas, and Tid- 
nish rivers, all of which are small streams, except the Pugwash, which is 
deep at its mouth, but not extensive, and the river Philip, which has a large 
course ; the three first have their sources on the north side of the Cobequid 
hills, and the others in other parts of Cumberland, all of them empty them- 
selves into the Northumberland Straits. 

The Rivers of Cape Breton, are, the two branches of the Margarie, 
and the two branches of Mabou, all of which run through Inverness coun- 
ty into the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; Mire' river, and Salmon river, its tribu- 
tory, take their rise in and flow through the county of Cape Breton, falling 
into the Atlantic, south of Cape Margain ; and Grand River, originating in 
Loch Lomond ; and emptying itself into the Atlantic, east of St. Peter's 
Bay. ' 

Mountains.— -This Province is very uneven ; it is diversified by hills of 
considerable magnitude, and extensive plains. These hills nowhere assume 
the character of mountains, except in that range known by the name 
of the Cobequid Mountains. This range extends, though with some breaks, 
from Cape Chignecto, the most westerly point of Cumberland, nearly east 
to the county of Pictou, and from thence in a disconnected manner to the 
Gut of Canso. The height varies from four to eleven hundred feet ; the 
lowest part found in the direction of the railway line near by Major Robin- 
son's, by way of the Folly river, was ascertained to be six hundred feet above 
the level of high water ; however, a lower line, though somewhat longer, 
may be obtained by way of the head of the Tatmagouche river. Some of 
the elevations in this range present picturesque appearances, amongst which 
are the Sugar Loaf, between Cumberland and Colchester, and Mount Thorn, 
in Pictou. There is another range of hills, of lower elevation, extending 
from Minas Basin to Annapolis Gut. 

The Atlantic coast of the Province is much broken by hills and vales, as 
are also many parts of Cape Breton, and the neighborhood of the Gut of 
Canso. 

Islands. — Sable Island is a low sandy island, situate about eighty-four 
miles south easterly from Cape Canso. Its length is somewhat over twenty 
miles and it exceeds one mile in breadth. It has been the scene of numer- 
ous shipwrecks, lying as it does nearly in a direct line from Europe to the 
Atlantic centre of Nova Scotia, and therefore nearly in the direct track of 
vessels bound either out or home ; numerous efforts have been made to pre- 
vent these misfortunes by the erection of a Light House, and to alleviate 
the sufferings of persons who may be thrown on the island by the formation 
of an establishment to provide for them. The Government of Nova Scotia 
have appropriated the sum of .£1000 annually to this humane purpose, and 
keep a party resident thereon to afford assistance in case of wrecks. Capt 
Bayfield lays down the position of the island as follows : Lat. 43, 56. Lon 
3, 32 east of Halifax Dockyard. 

Scatari Island lies on the south ofthe entrance to Mire River. 

Gregor Island is to the south of Gabarus Bay ; and Wood* Island, about 
half way between the former and the entrance to Chedabucto Bay. 

There are several islands on the north side of Chedabucto Bay ; the pi in 
cipal is Isle Madame, which is very irregular in shape and is included in the 
county of Richmond. 

TIkj largo&fc island and tho only ono worth notico on the Province shore, 



287 

in the Northumberland Straits, is Pictou Island, which lies off the harbor 
of that name. 

There are many islands studding the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia pro- 
per; they are generally near the shore, and therefore not dangerous to 
mariners. 

Seal and Mud Islands are situate off the entrance of Abaptic harbor, form- 
ing the most southerly portion of Nova Scotia. Cape Sable Island lies in the 
entrance of Barrington harbor, to the eastward of the two former. 

Long and Briar Islands form almost a continuation of Digby Neck, and 
divide St. Mary's Bay from the Bay of Fundy. 

Maut Island is a small Islet lying to the south west of Chignecto Cape 
near the head of the Bay of Fundy. 

GEOLOGY. 

From the discovery of Nova Scotia to the present time, the value and ex 
tent of its minerals have been deemed important. As early as 1604, De 
Monts found various valuable metallic substances on different parts of its 
sea girt boundary, and ever since new discoveries of mineral wealth have 
been made in almost every section of the colony. 

The surface of the country is beautifully variegated by lofty mural hills, 
and fertile vales, which give some parts of it almost an alpine appearance. 

Geologists have divided the internal structure of the Province into three 
formations. The igneous formation consists of granite, trap and other pri- 
mary rocks ; the igneous includes the fossiliferous and carboniferous strata, 
such as lime stone, gypsum, &c, and those of the various kinds of slate 
belong to the metamorphic class. 

In consequence of a large proportion of the surface of the Province being 
still covered with a dense forest, it is not possible to give a minute descrip- 
tion of its geological features. 

The primary rocks belonging to the igneous class, consist principally of 
granite, gniess, quartz, and mica slate ; these are most abundant in the At- 
lantic counties and extend into the northern portion of Cape Breton ; they 
are also observable in the southern part of some of the western counties, 
The land in the district occupied by this system is generally poor ; from the 
hardness and unyielding character of these rocks they contribute but slowly 
to the formation of tillageable soil. 

Almost the only useful substance found within this district, is granite, 
which is of the best quality for building, and other purposes ; no metallic 
ores worthy of notice have yet been discovered. 

The Silurian Rocks form an almost unbroken belt, extending from St. 
Mary's Bay, through the counties bounding on the Bay of Fundy, Minas 
Channel and Basin, and Cobequid Bay, through Colchester, Pictou and 
Sydney, across the Gut of Canso, and including a large portion of Cape 
Breton, It consists of shells, slates, and limestone, some of which have 
been found to be fossiliferous. Within the boundaries of this system, iron 
ore of excellent quality, and some copper have been found. An extensive 
deposite !of the former runs along the southerly margin ' of the Cobequid 
mountains in Pictou and Colchester, and it has been discovered in some other 
places. The surface of this district, where it is not stony, is well adapted 
for agricultural operations. 

The Carboniferous system, or coal formation, which covers about 2000 



288 

square miles of the area of this Province, is principally composed of red 
and gray sandstones, shells, gypsum and limestone, all of which are gene- 
rally found in stratified positions. 

The district occupied by this formation embraces nearly all the low lands 
of that portion of the Province lying north of the Minas channel and 
Cobequid Bay, with a small portion of the counties of King's and Hants ; 
its southern boundary runs easterly nearly in the direction of Cape Canso, 
at the entrance to Chedabucto Bay, comprehending, in its range, a large 
portion of Cape Breton. 

The iron ores and clay iron stone of this system, as far as discovery has 
hitherto gone, have been observed in the counties of Cumberland. Colches- 
ter and Pictou, and in the island of Cape Breton ; they are mostly of the 
hematite description. 

The surface includes some of the best land in the Province, and is almost 
all capable of being cultivated and rendered highly productive. 

The new red sand stone system, and the trap associated therewith, skirt, 
in isolated patches, the whole Bay of Fundy coast, from St. Mary's Bay to 
Minas channel, and both sides of the latter to the head of Cobequid Bay. 
Veins of magnetic iron and copper ores, and also agates and jaspers, have 
been discovered within these boundaries. This system contains soils of an 
excellent quality ; and even the debris of the trap rock, when it is not too 
precipitous, is found, when tilled, to be very productive. 

The limited geological researches already made in this Province seem 
almost to warrant the belief that it contains within its bowels useful miner- 
als of almost every description, and in such great abundance, that all that 
appears wanting to their developement is the application of capital, skill and 
industry, which would render these vast natural treasures subservient to the 
interests of the inhabitants. It is the opinion of many, however, that the 
cause that has paralyzed, in a great measure, this branch of industry, may 
be found in the following circumstances. In the year 1826, a large portion 
of the mineral wealth of the Colony was conveyed, by Royal charter, to the 
late Duke of York, who thus became the sole owner, for the term of sixty 
years, (of which thirty-one are still unexpired,) of all the mines and min- 
erals in the Province not previously granted with the land ; and the grant 
includes, with some few exceptions, all the minerals hitherto discovered. The 
reserved rent was the annual sum of £3,000 sterling, with a further sum of 
Is. sterling for every ton, of 2620 pounds, raised, and four pence for every 
ton of ore worked exceeding a certain quantity. This lease was assigned to 
a Company of Capitalists in England, who were incorporated under the 
name of The General Mining Association of London, and who com- 
menced their operations at Pictou and in Cape Breton, in 1828. The Roy- 
alty or Galage has been reduced, by arrangement between the Association 
and the Provincial Government, to a uniform rate of two shillings currency 
per Newcastle chaldron. Great and continued dissatisfaction has, however, 
arisen between the Company and the local Government, and in April. 1854, 
there was a joint application by both branches of the Legislature to His 
Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, praying him to confer, during the re- 
cess, with the British Government and the Directors of the Association, 
with a view to an adjustment of several points in dispute and a modification 
of the monopoly thus created. 



289 

The principal Minerals of Nova Scotia, economically considered. 

There are few mineral substances of so much importance to the interests 
of a country as that of coal. Its use is essential on rendering every other 
mineral serviceable to man ; manufactories cannot be profitably carried on 
without it. Steamboats require this fuel to enable them to traverse the 
deep ; in fact, by its agency must all the great improvements in manufac- 
tures, in commerce, and in the intercourse between one country and another, 
be effectually achieved. 

With regard to quantity and quality of this useful mineral, no country of 
equal extent on the American Continent is so highly privileged as the Colo- 
ny of Nova Scotia. 

There are five different places at which coal has been raised on a scale 
more or less extensive, namely, at the Albion or Pictou Mines, the Sydney, 
Bridgeport and Bras d'or Mines in Cape Breton, and the South Joggins in 
Cumberland. Besides these, outcrops have been discovered at numerous 
other places, at some of which small quantities have been extracted for local 
domestic use. These coal fields are very extensive, and further research 
will no doubt be crowned with success, as a large portion of the coal region 
is still mantled with its pristine vesture. 

The Pictou Mines are situate on the east river of Pictou about eleven 
miles from the town, and seven from the harbor of the same name ; with 
the latter it is connected by a railroad constructed by the General Mining 
Association. By this means the coals are brought down for shipment as 
long as the navigation of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is open, being from 
about the 1st May to the middle of November. When, however, a branch 
of the railway, now being built by the Provincial Government, is extended 
to this place, which its promoters have in contemplation to effect as speedily 
as possible, the coal may be transmitted to Halifax, not only for the 
supply of that city and the neighborhood, but also for shipment, during 
the winter, to the United States, and the various ports of the British 
Provinces. Under the provisions of the Reciprocity Treaty, there can 
be no doubt of this trade becoming very extensive, and forming an im- 
portant item in the railway traffic ; indeed, in connection with the Gulf 
Trade, and the local traffic, this line promises to be one of the most 
remunerative portions of the undertaking. These mines, as well as those in 
Cape Breton and at the Joggins, belong to the General Mining Association, 
who have also a Foundry in operation at the Pictou works. 

The coal of Pictou is highly bituminous, and is used in the United States 
largely in the manufacture of iron and gas, and also for domestic purposes. 
Of the extent and quality of this coal, Dr. Gesner thus speaks in his In- 
dustrial Resources of Nova Scotia, p. 271 : " Ten strata of coal have been 
penetrated ; the main coal band is 33 feet in thickness, with 24 feet of 
good coal ; of this only 12^ feet are suitable for exportation — the remain- 
ing part is appliable to furnaces and forges." 

This coal weighs about 31 cwt. per chaldron, of 36 bushels, Winchester 
measure, or from 15 to 16 cwt. per cubic yard. The Newcastle chaldron is 
double the Winchester, and one hundred chaldrons of Winchester measure 
make nearly one hundred and twenty chaldrons of Boston measure. 

The Pictou coal is sold by the Winchester chaldron, and the price at the 
loading around in WM. waa.for lwga ooal, fromlfo. 6d. to 18a., currency, 
w oh&Mroa, e<juai iq 8a, 7|<i, awning, per ton, uA for akek eoal, from 



2C0 

5s. 6d. to 8s. per chaldron. The cost of shipping coal from Pictou to Bos- 
ton in the same year ranged from two dollars and a half to four dollars per 
chaldron ; at the same period the value of anthracite coal, in the markets 
of Boston and New York was from five and a half to six dollars per ton. 
The United States import duty on coal has varied very much from 1842 to 
1845, the duty was $2.60 per chaldron, during which time there were 
46,866 Newcastle chaldrons shipped from Pictou to their ports : while be- 
tween 1846 (when the duty was reduced to one dollar) and 1849, there 
were shipped 106.363 chaldrons. In fact, every reduction of duty has been 
followed by a marked increase in the export ; thus shewing that we may 
reasonably expect a far greater demand and more extensive export of this 
important article, now that the Reciprocity Treaty has become law. 

The price paid to miners for working the coal varies from Is. 7d. to 2s 2d. 
per cubic yard, which is equal to about 3s. 8d. per chaldron — at which rate 
a good collier can earn about 9d. per day. The cost of raising the coal 
from the pits to the surface of the ground is stated in the reports to the 
Legislature, to which we are indebted for several details, at 12s. l£d. per 
chaldron, exclusive of contingencies. The number of vessels employed in 
carrying coals from the Pictou mines in 1853, was 1054 ; the average ton- 
nage of each vessel was 120 tons; of these 626 were engaged in the trade 
to the States, and of the latter 95 were American bottoms. 

A new mine of superior coal has recently been opened, which, together 
with those already in work, will require a vast number of additional labor- 
ers to supply the increasing demands. 

The Cape Breton Coal Fields are principally situate on the east side of 
the island, and mines have been opened at Sydney, Bridgeport, and Bras 
D'or. This Coal field is stated by Dr. Gesner to cover a space of 35 miles 
in length, to be of an average breadth of 4J miles, including the islets on 
the coast, and of vast thickness. The principal works are on the north 
west side of Sydney harbor, where a town has sprung up known as Sydney 
Mines. The greatest depth to which the working has reached is over 300 
feet. The quantity of coal shipped from hence to the United States is not 
large ; and it is principally used for domestic purposes, but it is also burnt 
on board the Cunard steamers, between Liverpool and Halifax, being well 
adapted for marine engines. A railroad is constructed from the mines to 
the place of shipment. 

The Bridgeport mines are situate about a mile and a half from Bridge- 
port basin, and contain a seam of about nine feet in thickness, intersected by 
two thin veins of shalle. 

The Bras D'or mines are situate near the mouth of the stream of that 
name, falling into the Bras D'or lake, and about four miles from its mouth. 
They are on a vein four feet in thickness and of fair quality. 

The outcrops of coal have been discovered in many places on the Island 
of Qape Breton ; it is supposed, therefore, that the coalfieM is very exten- 
sive, and the facilities for shipment cannot be surpassed, as the principal 
veins skirt the sea board and the numerous harbors and inland sheets of wa- 
ter with which the eastern side of this island is so beautifully studded. 

The number of vessels employed in 1853, in carrying the coal of these 
mines was 734, making with those employed in the coal trade of Pictou, a 
total of 1788, and amounting in the gross to 170,000 or 180,000 tons o\ 
shipping. 

x/ie Cumberland Ceal Field is ver? U&tonsire ; bwidts numerom out- 



291 

crops which have been observed in various localities, there have been some 
seams of great thickness and good quality discovered, some of which are 
worked. 

At Maccan a vein of 12 feet in thickness is reported by Dr. Gesner to 
be of good quality. 

The Spring Hill coal seam, or rather bed, for its depth has not been as- 
certained, is about ten miles from the navigation of the Maccan river, and 
about twenty-one miles from the harbor at Parrsboro' ; at the latter place 
there are excellent facilities for shipment, and it is free from ice at almost 
all seasons of the year. The coal is good, being highly bituminous and free 
burning. 

At the South Jog-gins, there is an extensive stratum of coal, which out- 
crops at many places along the coast and on the streams ; the coal is of fair 
quality and is worked by the General Mining Association to a considerable 
extent. This Company has expended large sums in the formation of a 
breakwater at this spot, and otherwise in the developement of the Cumber- 
land coal field, the extent and value of which, together with its proximity 
to the towns and settlements on both sides of the Bay of Fundy, and the 
facilities for shipping to the United States, render it of vast importance to 
this section of the Province ; all that is required to make it available is fresh 
enterprize and increased capital. 

There are many other localities in various parts of Nova Scotia, where coal 
has been discovered, but its extent and quality cannot be ascertained without 
mueh further research. Several outcrops have been found on the bank of 
the streams flowing from the Cobequid Hills to the Bay of that name in 
Colchester, and traversing a sort of table land intervening between the moun- 
tains and the shore. 

The Coals of Nova Scotia, especially those of Cape Breton and Cumber- 
land, are highly fossiliferous, and present great attractions to the curious 
and scientific. 

The amount of rents and royalties paid to the Local Government of the 
Province by the General Mining Association, from 1827 to 1853 inclusive, 
gives an average of £5,000 per annum, being £136,245 in the whole. 

Table, skewing the quantity of coals raised, sold, and exported from 
the mines of Nova Scotia, during the years indicated, in Newcastle 
chaldrons, 



Years. 


Albion Mines, 
(Pictou.) 


Sydney Mines. 


Joggins Mines. 


1850, 
1851, 
1852, 
1853, 


34 279 
27,725 
34,873 
44,437 


26,248 
24.773 
28,146 

27,578 


1,215 
1,322 

1,798 
1,996 



The total quantity of coal raised, sold, and exported from the Albion 
Mines, between the years 1826 and 1854, was 

497,183 Newcastle chaldrons. 



292 



From Sydney, 479,041 Newcastle chaldrons. 

" Bridgeport, 55,522 " 

" Brasd'Or, 2,175 



Total from Cape Breton, 536,738 " " 

Joggins, 7,700 

There has been no coal raised at Bridgeport or Bras d'Or mines since 
1849. 

The amount of royalty on 31,520 chaldrons, 34 bushels, is £3,152 0s. 
lid. sterling. 

Iron Ores, of various descriptions and qualities, are found in almost 
every section of the Colony, but more especially within the carboniferous 
system. The veins are principally of the hematite, although by no means 
confined to that variety. 

A large portion of the iron ore as yet discovered in Nova Scotia has fall- 
en within the limits of the lease to the Duke of York, which requires him 
to pay the royalties before mentioned, " and one-twentieth part of gold, sil- 
ver, lead, copper, and all ores and metals that might be raised." 

Although there are numerous places, such as a district round Annapolis, 
and parts of the mineral district of Londonderry and Onslow, which, hav- 
ing been previously granted without reservation, are not under the control 
of the General Mining Association ; still the few attempts that have been 
made to bring them into operation have, with one exception, been abortive. 
This failure has arisen, principally, from the want of capital and enterprise ; 
so that it may fairly be questioned whether, if the mines and minerals had 
not fallen into the hands of the rich capitalists forming the Association, they 
would have been worked to as great an extent, and contributed so largely 
as they have done, even if they had been exempt from rents and royalties, 
to the general resources of the Province ; and it is very doubtful whether 
the Pictou mines would have been opened, had it not been for this Associa- 
tion, even if they had been perfectly free to the operations of enterprising 
capitalists. New Brunswick is not thus crippled ; but her mineral riches, 
which are undoubtedly valuable, are almost all sealed, for want of the capi- 
tal and industry necessary to their developement. 

A deposite of specular iron ore, of the best variety, and said to be 
inexhaustible, has been discovered, skirting the south side of the Cobequid 
mountains. This ore possesses a high per centage, amounting to 66 parts 
of pure metal in 100, which is nearly double the produce of a large portion 
of the ores which are profitably smelted in Europe. The depth of this vein, 
or rather assemblage of veins, has never been properly ascertained ; it is 
said to vary in thickness from fifteen to fifty feet. One peculiar property 
possessed by this ore 13 the ease and cheapness with which it is converted 
into steel of the best kind. Several edge tools manufactured from this steel 
as well as some wire of excellent quality were shewn at the Great Exhibi- 
tion in London in 1851, and received most favorable notice. Many of these 
veins both of magnetic and specular ore are imbedded in a stratum of lime- 
stone, itself intermixed with iron ore called amperite. which extends to a 
thickness of from 2 to 300 feet, and has been ascertained to run parallel 
with the mountains and the sea for fifteen or twenty miles. The Acadian 
Mining Company has been established by the enterprise of Charles D. Ar- 
chibald, Esq., for the purpose of working'these ores, and its favorable posi- 
tion for shipping as well as the water power it possesses, gives it great ad- 



293 

vantages ; the iron smelted here, though of very limited quantity, commands 
a high price in the London market. Every facility is here afforded for the 
extension of works of this nature, such as vast quantities of wood for char- 
coal, many streams descending from the hills offering sites for water wheels, 
and, as is believed, many veins of coal on the table land immediately ad- 
joining : and these numerous advantages combine to render this iron-bound 
region peculiarly valuable. Surely the time is not far distant when they 
will be appreciated, and in place of our importing large quantities of iron, 
this latent mineral storehouse of wealth will be opened, and rendered sub- 
servient to the interests of the country. 

A valuable bed of iron ore, over six feet in thickness, has been discovered 
near the Nictau river in Annapolis, where the Acadian Mining Company 
have begun some works. Iron was manufactured at this place in the early 
settlement of the country. Iron ore is also met with at the Pictou coal 
mines, and also about twelve miles above them ; at the latter place the vein 
is about 15 feet in thickness. Smelting has been carried on at the Albion 
Mines, but only to a limited extent. 

The hematite variety of iron ore has been met with near the Shubenaca- 
die river, and at Grand Lake in the county of Halifax, as well as at numer- 
ous other places, but no smelting operations of any note have been instituted. 
Is it possible that, in these days of railway speculation, of the increased 
construction of machinery of every description, and of shipbuilding, when 
such vast quantities of this metal are required for domestic and other pur- 
poses, that an investment in iron works, conducted with the skill which 
could be procured from the mother country, would not well repay the out- 
lay of capital 1 and why is not the march of enterprize directed towards 
these minerals, to provide at any rate a sufficiency for our local wants ? 

The number of Founder ies, §*c., in 1851, was as follows : 







Value. 


Quantity of iron 


smelted. 


Value of Castings. 


Halifax 


2 


£2,000 


30 




£500 


Yarmouth 


1 


100 








Annapolis 


1 


1500 






170 


Colchester 


3 


5000 


250 




113 


Pictou 


1 


800 


120 




1,503 


Cape Breton 


1 


3,500 






1,200 



Totals, 9 12,900 400 tons £3,486 

Copper Ores, from their difficulty to trace, are not so manifest in this 
Province as many other minerals ; indications of this metal have been ob- 
served at various places in the counties of Pictou, Cumberland and Colches- 
ter, but no lode has yet been astertained to be of a workable character. 

Ores of Manganese have been found in the county of Hants, from 
which a few tons have been shipped to the States. It is also met with in 
some other places, but not to any extent. 

Ores of Lead (galena) are discovered on the Shubenacadie, Stewiacke, 
and some other places, but are not supposed to be in sufficient quantity to 
yield a profit 

Granite of an excellent description is found at Annapolis and many 
other spots ; indeed this useful substance is abundant along the whole At- 
lantic coast, where it has been quarried, and used in the erection of the ci- 
tadel at Halifax, and various public edifices. Small quantities have been 



294 

shipped to the States and other places ; and a quarry has recently been 
opened for exportation near the newly constructed railway. 

Mica, quartz, fellspar, porphyry, slate, chrystal, sulphurets of iron 
and copper, and various other mineral substances have been discovered in 
different parts of the province. 

Gypsum. — There are two varieties of this valuable substance, both found 
in Nova Scotia in great abundance, accompanied by marls, sandstones and 
lime. Gypsum is so plentiful within the coal measures, that description 
would fail to give an idea of its quantity. It may be seen in many places 
jn Hants, at Truro, and Londonderry in Colchester, at various spots in Pic- 
ou, and in Parrsboro, Maccan, Napan, River Phillip, Pugwash, and Wal- 
lace in Cumberland, as well as in the central portion of Cape Breton. Here 
it is only now beginning to be used to a small extent, and as a substitute 
for lime in fertilizing the soil and rendering it more pliable; but it is con- 
sidered as a valuable manure in the States, and large quantities are shipped 
to that market from Windsor and other places along the Mmas basin and at 
Pugwash. The gross amount quarried in 3851, was 79.795 tons, of which 
76,743 were shipped in the county of Hants. The whole quantity exported 
was valued at £10,498. 

Limestone, like gypsum, is very abundant throughout the coal formation. 
Some of it is capable of being polished to a high decree, and some fine spe- 
cimens of marble have recently been sent to England from the neighbor- 
hood of Parrsboro' and the Five Islands. Lime is now coming into use in 
farming operations; and can be obtained in great abundance at Pugwash, 
Wallace, and other places on the gulf shore, also near Amherst in Cumber- 
land, various spots in Colchester, and in numerous other places in the Pro- 
vince. In 1851, there were manufactured in the Province 18,603 casks, 
valued at £4,433. Nearly one half of this quantity was burnt in the 
county of Pictou. 

Grindstones, of which the total number of tons manufactured in 1851, 
was 37,570, valued at £5,857. Of this amount 36,712 tons, valued at 
£5,198, were made at the Joggins in Cumberland, 363 at Pictou, and the 
remainder in the counties of Colchester, Inverness, and Cape Breton. The 
stone in the Province adapted for this purpose and for building, as freestone, 
is exhaustless. 

Ochres of & ferruginous character, abound throughout the Province. As 
an illustration of their use it is only necessary to refer to the celebrated pa- 
tent fire-proof patent, called Boss's Patent Artificial Slate: and to the other 
metallic paints, black, purple, and red, manufactured in the county of Col- 
chester. The first named valuable material is found, from its adhesive qua- 
lities, to be a great preservative for edifices of every description, for ships, 
and also for all metals. It is extensively used both in the Colonies and in 
the United States. 

Plastic Clay, used in the manufacture of bricks and pottery, is found in 
almost every county. In 1851, there were 2,845,400 bricks made, valued 
at £3,211. 

Sail-springs occur in many places in the counties of Hants, Pictou, Col- 
chester, and Cumberland, and in the island of Cape Breton, but no effectu- 
al steps have been taken to render these valuable deposits of saline matter 
subservient to the pressing wants of the country. 

There are numerous other mineral substances found in the Province by 
Dr. Gesner and others, but those we have enumerated are the principal yet 
discovered which enter into the economical wants of the country. 



295 



FOREST TREES OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



The climate, soil, and vegetable productions of Nova Scotia are so 
similar to those of New Brunswick, that it would be mere repetition to 
dwell at any length on the contents of its forests ; and we shall therefore 
confine ourselves only to an enumeration of the most useful trees found in 
the Province, and the value of the timber manufactured therefrom for ex- 
portation. Notwithstanding the great extent of land within the colony which 
has been stripped of the forests, by the hand of man or by the operation of 
fire, there are still large tracts yet covered with trees of the most valuable 
description, in an economical point of view, the principal of which are com- 
prised in the following notice. 

The most common and most generally applicable, both for exportation and 
domestic purposes, is the spruce, of which there are two species — the white 
and the black. The latter is the most valuable and extensively useful ; it 
is manufactured into deals, battens, masts, spars, plank, boards, scantling, 
shingles, and a variety of other articles too numerous to mention. 

Pine, of which ten varieties have been noticed, in addition to all the va- 
rious purposes to which spruce is applicable, is employed in the finishing of 
edifices of every description, The most valuable is the white pine ; this 
species, from its size and durability, is much sought after for spars and 
masts. It is getting very scarce in this colony. 

The silver fir is very abundant throughout Nova Scotia. 

American larche, which is known by a variety of names, as tamarac, cy- 
press, and juniper, but more generally by its Indian name, hacmatac. is 
found in great abundance. Its importance, especially in ship-building and 
for railways, is so well known that further notice in this place is unneces- 
sary. 

The next in order are the maples, of which there are several species : 
the white sugar maple, black sugar maple, white maple, red maple, moose- 
wood or striped maple, and the mountain maple bush. The most important 
are the sugar maples, from the bird's eyes, scrolls, and other peculiarities 
presented by their wood when used in cabinet making and upholstery, but 
more especially for their sugar-producing qualities. Of this article, there 
was manufactured in the Province, in 1851, the large quantity of 110.441 
pounds. Each tree produces, on an average, three pounds of sugar in each 
season. 

There are numerous species of the birch — the yellow, white, grey and 
black birch, all of which are applicable to various purposes ; but the last is 
the most valuable and most extensively useful. 

Beech, of which there are two species — the red and white — is met with 
in large quantities. 

There are two species of elm known to exist in this colony — the red and 
the white. 

Hemlock spruce, generally known by the name of hemlock, is remarka- 
bly plentiful throughout thf Province. 

There are several varieties of ash, known as the black, white, yellow and 
grey ash ; but on examination, they will be found to belong to two species, 
namely, the white and the black. Almost all the swamps furnish supplies 
of this valuable wood. 

There are two species of the oa-k— the red and the black — found oft the 
borders of streams 



296 

Poplar, including the tree poplar, the aspen, and the white-leaved pop- 
lar, is produced in great abundance throughout the Province. 

Cedar is not so plentiful in Nova Scotia as in New Brunswick, where it 
is found in great quantities. 

The foregoing catalogue comprises most of the trees from which the ex- 
ports given in the following summary are derived : 

The gross amount, in value, of the timber exported from Nova Scotia in 
1847 was £76,332. 

In 1853, the value of the exports of this nature of all descriptions was 
as follows : 

Lumber, (sawn,) £115,989 

Shingles, 4,454 

Staves and Hoops, 2,570 

Spars and Knees, 6,547 

Timber, (soft wood,) 3,590 

Do. (hard wood.) 5,494 

Wood, (cordwood)', 26,151 

Total, £164,795 



Shewing an increase in six years of £88,463 

And if we add to this the value of the timber manufactured into ships, 
many of which are annually sold in other countries, to say nothing of the 
vast quantities used for domestic purposes, this sum would be greatly aug- 
mented. The value of the forest timber, both of this and the adjoining Pro- 
vince, is only now beginning to be known ; for, while the demand for these 
articles must be much increased in the British markets, there is now an ad- 
ditional source of trade opened by the Reciprocity Treaty with the United 
States, which will absorb a large additional quantity, and probably at more 
remunerative prices. 

As to the qualities of several of the woods of this Province for uphol- 
stery and cabinet ware, they can hardly be surpassed. In testimony of 
this assertion it is only necessary to visit the cabinet shops of the country, 
which display articles of various descriptions possessing both beauty and 
durability ; and as a further proof, we may refer all who take an interest in 
this subject to the Museum at Halifax, where they will find upwards of 
sixty beautiful specimens of native woods manufactured in the Province, 
evidently shewing that the inhabitants are underrating the capabilities of 
their own country and the skill of its artizans, when they import articles 
of this description of foreign growth and manufacture. 

For a more detailed account of the forest trees, their uses, and the soils 
upon which they respectively grow, the reader is referred to the article " Bo- 
tany," in our description of New Brunswick. 

The following list of indigenous plants which have not yet been renek 
valuable in a commercial aspect, comprizes the*principal part of the forest 
production of Nova Scotia: — 

Hazel Nut, Balm of Gilead, 

Hornbeam, Bill Berry, 

Butternut, Swamp willow, 

Locust Tree, Black willow, 

Wild Cherry, Bask«tJwillow, 

orn, Whito Aider, 

Dogwood, mountain ctsh or Rowan, Bkoh Aldtr. 



297 



Flowering Plants. 



There are a large number of flowering plants to be met with in every 
direction. In the month of June, indeed, both fields and forests present a 
great variety affording both beauty and fragrance. Their study has not as 
yet attracted much attention although a more delightful and instructive pur- 
suit can hardly be imagined. The following is a list of the more obvious, 
in addition to many of those given in the foregoing catalogue : 
Wild Gooseberry, Plum, 

Currant, two species, Whortle Berry, 

Rose, two species, Lilies, three species, 

Strawberry, Indian Cup, 

Baspberry, Hemp, 

Blackberry, Sarsaparilla, 

Dew Berry, Sumach, 

Bed Cranberry, Low Moosewood Bush, 

Grey Cranberry, Blue Berries, 

High bush Cranberry, Tea Berry, 

Cherry, Huckle Berry, 

Choke Berry, Ground Hemlock. 

Many other of the indigenous plants and shrubs enumerated in pages 55 
and 56. will be found in Neva Scotia. 

As a fruit growing country, Nova Scotia, especially its western counties, is 
not far behind other parts of this continent. We have no means of as- 
certaining the quantity of fruit raised in the Province, but, judging from 
that exported, we are led to believe it must be very great. In 1853, 
there were 40,045 bushels of apples and plums shipped, principally to the 
other North American Colonies, valued at <£G,849. Considering the very 
sluggish and careless manner in which orchard culture is pursued, this must 
be looked upon as a large yield. We have no doubt that this branch of 
arboricultural business must, ere long, become a prominent pursuit of the 
people of the Province. It is scarcely possible that it should remain much 
longer in its present neglected state. 

FISHERIES OF NOVA SCOTIA. 

As the fisheries of this Province differ so little either in extent, kind, or 
quality, from those of New Brunswick, of which we have already given as 
full and detailed description as our limits would allow, we propose to afford 
but brief consideration to this important branch of industry in its commer- 
cial aspect only. 

Since the Elgin Treaty has become the law of the land, conferring on the 
citizens of the United States the privileges of fishing on the coasts of the 
British Provinces ; and giving in return the same liberty the colonists on 
certain parts of the shores of the Republic, together with a free and un- 
controlled market in all her seaports for the produce of their waters, we 
may reasonably anticipate a large increase in the catch and the exportation 
of fish by the Provincials ; and this is more especially applicable to Nova 
Scotia, which is surrounded, and every where intersected by waters teem- 
ing with every variety of the most valuable fish. 

The numerous treaties and long pendiojy negotiations that have heretofore 
beeu made, and carried or^by Great Britain, spurred on by her Colonies, on 

40 



298 

the one part, and by the French and American Governments on the other 
as well as the protection offorded by England, at no small cost, by numer- 
ous armed vessels on these shores, evince most strongly the vast extent and 
value of the fisheries of British North America. 

There is indeed no part of Her Majesty's Colonial Dominions to which 
this branch of business is of more importance than to Nova Scotia. When 
her forests shall cease to afford the supplies of lumber they now furnish, 
the products of her fisheries will become one of her staple articles of expor- 
tation, ranking perhaps, second to her agricultural produce. One feature 
in their recommendation is the cheapness with which they may be pursued, 
for while an outlay of many thousands is required to bring into action even 
a small portion of the mineral wealth of a country, a comparatively trifling 
cost will amply provide the necessary outfit for this purpose. It is true 
that the miner sometimes meets with unexpected success, from the discovery 
of some new mineral not at first supposed to be within his range, or from 
the superior quality of the vein he may open ; but it is equally evident that, 
from the variety of fish, no less than seventy species, frequenting these wa- 
ters, at defferent seasons of the year, that the prudent fisherman need be at 
no loss ; for if the catch of herrings fail, he may devote his time and atten- 
tion to that of mackarel, as well as to the shad, salmon and many other spe- 
cies well suited, either for the table or the production of oil. 

The different families, generally and species of fish usually found on these 
shores, have been enumerated under the head of the fisheries of New Bruns- 
wick, page 82, see. 

The following statistics will shew to some extent the value of the export 
trade in fish to this Province ; but as we have no means of ascertaining the 
quantity consumed in the colony, these figures will not convey a proper idea 
of the full importance of this branch of business. 

From the reports made to the Legislature in 1849, it appears that there 
were exported in that year : 

236,028 barrels of pickled fish, 

245.620 quintals of dry fish, 
27,431 boxes of smoked fish, 
825 tons of oil. 

Of which 91,785 barrels of pickled fish were shipped to the States, not- 
withstanding the high duty. 

The imports of fish during the same year, were : 

17,181 barrels of pickled fish, 

80,983 quintals of dried fish, 
4.570 boxes of smoked fish, 
'297 tons of fish oil. 

In 1851 there were 812 vessels of the aggregate burthen of 43,333 tons 
manned by 3,681 men, and 5,161 boats, whose crews were 6,713 men; also 
30,151 seines and nets, employed by Nova Scotia. 

In the same year there were exported — 

277,870 quintals of dried fish, 

168.160 barrels of pickled fish, 
14,567 boxes of smoked fish, 
1,076 tons of fish oil, 

Of which there were shipped to the States — 

58,196 barrels of mackarel, 

18,490 " herrings, 



299 



3,215 barrels salmon, 
3,603 quintals of cod fish. 

The total value of exported fish during the same year was £235 000. 

Applications for the bounty on the mackarel fishery by the hook and line, 
were made on the 3,378 tons, the crews amounting to 699 men; and the 
amount paid was £1,879. 

During this year, though the American fishermen pay from six shillings 
to seven shillings and six pence per barrel for every barrel of mackarel 
brought into their country, there were from 1,000 to 1,200 vessels from 
the States fishing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which brought into Massa- 
chusetts alone 329,278 barrels. 

The following table shews the ports in Nova Scotia from which fish- 
ing vessels have sailed in 1853, the number of vessels from each, with the 
tonnage and men employed : — 



Port. 


Vessels. 


Tonnage. 


Men. 


Halifax, 


149 


5,816 


1,240 


Yarmouth, 


54 


1,982 


400 


Lunenburg, 


23 


1,130 


244 


Windsor, 


1 


14 


4 


Liverpool, 


13 


585 


106 


Pictou, 


6 


316 


63 


Guysborough, 


11 


382 


76 


I>igby, 


4 


97 


23 


Sydney, 


8 


204 


f 53 


Arichat, 


44 


1,155 


152 


Annapolis, 


1 


16 


4 


Clements Port, 


2 


23 


8 


Port Medway, 


5 


152 


33 


Pugwash, 


5 


380 


60 


New Edinburgh, 


6 


282 


30 


Cape Canso, 


24 


861 


174 


Argyle, 


7 


193 


49 


Sheet Harbor, 


2 


57 


7 


Pubnico, 


7 


206 


55 


Canada Creek, 


1 


26 


5 


Gates's Breakwater, 


3 


43 


15 


Westport, 


16 






Bagged Islands, 


27 


952 


218 


Ship Harbor, 


10 


283 


52 


St. Mary's, 


3 


75 


19 


Port Hood, 


3 


139 


36 


Barrington, 


17 


413 


116 


Church Point, 


3 


72 


19 


The following quantity 


of fish was exported from 


Nova Scotia 


in 1853 : 








Kind of fish. 




Quantity. 


Value. 


Shad and Salmon, 






£19.607 


Mackarel, 




78,763 barrels 


77.243 


Herrings, 




128,160 " 


78,545 


Smoked Herrings, 






3.053 


Codfish, 




249,800 quintals 


159,000 



300 

Alewives, 8,608 barrels 6,536 

Scale fish, 38,362 quintals 16,767 

Oils, &c, 27,252 



Total, £388,003. 

Of this amount the value of £64,990 was shipped to the other North 
American Colonies ; £141,433 to the West Indies; £117,944 to the Uni- 
ted States, and the remainder to Great Britain and other counties ; thus it 
will be seen that the West Indies offer a valuable market for the fisheries of 
these Provinces. 
The value of the fish imported into Nova Scotia, principally from the 

other Provinces, in 1853, was £111,567 

Excess of exports over imports, 276,436 

Excess of exports of 1853 over those of 1851, 153,000 

shewing a great augmentation of this branch of industry, within two 
years. 

Much attention has been recently paid by the Legislature of this Province 
to the fisheries of its rivers, which, at one period of its history, teemed with 
salmon, shad, gaspereaux or alewives, and trout, but all these species are 
now becoming much more scarce, in consequence partly of the obstruction 
to their passage up the rivers to their spawning grounds, by mill dams ; and 
partly of the vast quantities of saw dust thrown into the streams by the 
mill men, which is found to be highly injurious to the fish. It is said, though 
we doubt it, that fish ways through, or rather by the side of mill dams, by 
which the fish may ascend cannot be made without impeding and in a great 
measure stopping the operations of the manufacturers of lumber ; and the 
question would then resolve itself into one of economy —whether it will be 
more advantageous to cheek, and for a certain time, stop the saw mills, or, 
which has been almost done already, to destroy the river fisheries. 

CLIMATE. 

The observations made in a former part of this volume, respecting the 
climate, the indigenous productions, and the agricultural capabilities of Kew 
Brunswick, will apply, with a few exceptions, to Nova Scotia. The winter 
in the latter Province is not so severe, especially on the Atlantic coast ; nor 
does the snow fall to so great a depth, except along the northerly side and 
summits of the Cobequid Mountains. Here, though the falls are often con- 
siderable, yet it goes off earlier in the spring than in the northerly portion 
of the adjoining Province. It appears as if the increased agricultural ca- 
pabilities of some sections of these Colonies were attributable to the quan- 
tity of snow with which they are covered ; and it has always been observed 
that these seasons are the most productive, in which this cosering has re- 
mained on the ground of a greater depth during the whole winter, and to a 
later period in the spring, and has not been subject to alternate thaws and 
snow-storms ; these changes expose the roots of grass and other vegetables 
to piercing frosts, which often displace and raise the ground around them. 
Besides this, snow has some fertilizing property, in condensing, as it were, 
the salts contained in the atmosphere, and by the floods usually produced 
by the thaws, a rich sediment, or debris, is brought down from the more 
elevated parts, and deposited on the table lands, rendering them the most 
productive portions of the country. Hence, probably, may arise the wheat 



301 

and other grain producing character of the north-west section of New 
Brunswick, and the rapidity which which, in that locality, those crops attain 
to maturity. The western and milder section of Nova Scotia is equally 
distinguished for its productiveness in potatoes and fruit ; and these two pe- 
culiarities of the two Provinces will be found to depend upon the variations 
of climate, as well as upon the dissimilarities of the soil of the two districts. 
It is now generally understood that, in an agricultural point of view, more 
depends upon the geological character of a country than upon its climate ; 
hence follows the importance that the former should be well understood by 
all interested in agriculture. 

The mean temperature of the year, in the ) 

Province of Nova Scotia, is 42 i By Fahrenheit's Ther- 

Extreme of cold, (below zero) 24 } mometer. 

Extreme of heat on the shore, 96 J 

AGRICULTURE. 

The character and distribution of the soils of Nova Scotia for agricultu- 
ral operations, and the manner of pursuing this important branch of indus- 
try, differ little from those of the sister Province. The Province, with the 
exception of a strip of land, of a metamorphic character, fronting the At- 
lantic, is highly calculated for the labors of the farmer, and, under a proper 
System of tillage, will vie with any other country, of equal extent, on the 
North American continent. Its whole gulf coast, from the New Brunswick 
boundary to the Gut of Canso, consists of excellent land ; and from thence, 
through its greatest length, from Canso to the western extremity of the Bay 
of Fundy, the soil is well adapted for cultivation. Even along the margins 
of the numerous bays, rivers and streams, falling into the Atlantic, much 
good land is to be found, consisting of rich alluvial marshes and meadows, 
as well as upland of the best quality ; and there are many other interven- 
ing tracts which well repay the hand of industry, more especially as many 
of the beautiful harbors, which everywhere stud this coast, are enlivened by 
thriving villages, where infant manufactories, ship-building, and fisheries 
are carried on with both energy and profit ; thus affording to the farmers a 
home market for their surplus produce. Upon the whole, it may be fairly 
estimated that, while one-half of the area of Nova Scotia is well calculated 
for tillage, about three-fourths may be cultivated with profit. 

Since the application of chemistry to agriculture, much attention has been 
paid to the geological character of soils ; and, while man can do little to 
ameliorate the climate of a country, except by clearing its forests, a great 
deal may be done by the aid of science, in the improvement of the quality 
of the land, especially where, like this Province, there is so great a variety 
in the composition of the soil. 

We do not here propose to enter into the geological minufe of the soils 
of Nova Scotia. The reader will find the agricultural capabilities of the 
Province ably depicted in a little work recently published by J. W. Daw- 
son, Esq , entitled " Scientific Contributions towards the improvement of 
Agriculture in Nova Scotia" — a work which no farmer in the lower Pro- 
vinces ought to be without. 

Geologically considered, the soils may be briefly distinguished as follows : 

First, Alluvial Soils. This character of soil embraces several varieties, 
such a3 the red marsh, in the counties of Cumberland, Hants, King's, &c, 



302 

which is principally composed of fine sand and clay, mixed, more or less, 
with decomposed manure, plants, and particles of marl and other substances, 
deposited on the low lands skirting the Bay of Fundy and the streams fall- 
ing into it. This is the most productive land in the Province, and some 
portions of it have been yielding large burthens of hay, of the best quality, 
for upwards of one hundred and fifty years, without any appliances. The 
peculiar nature of these marshes has been noticed, at some length, in a for- 
mer part of this work. There are 36,000 acres of soil, of this class, bor- 
dering on the Bay of Fundy, worth at least £16 per acre, beside large 
quantities not yet reclaimed from the sea, and other extensive tracts, espe- 
cially in the county of Cumberland, which require to be irrigated by, and 
to receive a further portion of sediment from, the muddy waters of the Bay, 
before they can be brought into a state of cultivation. 

Another quality of marsh is that bordering on the Atlantic and Gulf 
shores. In 1851, there were about 4,000 acres reclaimed from the sea by 
dykes ; it is light and earthy, and its average value is about <£6 per acre, 
though some of it far exceeds that price. There are still numerous tracts 
of this soil capable of being reclaimed. 

The last and most common variety of this description is intervale, which 
is composed of the debris of the higher lands deposited in the ravines and 
on the borders of inland streams by freshets. This class of alluvial soil is 
very valuable on account of its productiveness, and also because its use as a 
manure on the upland adds much to the grain-producing qualities of the 
latter. 

The soils embraced by the carboniferous system form the best upland in 
the Province, and in a forest state it is found clothed with excellent timber. 
This region is very extensive ; nearly all that portion of the Province north 
of a line drawn from the head of St. Mary's Bay to Cape Canso, including 
Cape Breton, comes within its limits. It comprehends loam, marl, lime, 
gypsum, clays, sand, &c, and there is therefore every facility afforded for 
making composts. It is within the boundaries of this division that agricul- 
ture is prosecuted to the best advantage, and where persons desirous of lo- 
cating themselves for farming purposes snould select their lands. 

Within the carboniferous or new red sandstone district, there are high 
ranges of land, the principal of which is the Cobequid Mountains, as they 
are called. Many of these, it is true, present a mountainous appearance at 
a distance ; but the writer observed, while on a railway survey of this Pro- 
vince in 1853, that the acclivities of these hills, generally speaking, are not 
abrupt, and there were few places where farming could not be carried on 
with advantage. Maple, beech, birch, spruce, and other valuable timber 
may be seen growing along the sides of the hills, and extending, in many 
instances, to their very summits. In fact, there appeared to be hardly any 
spot so steep or rugged as to prevent pasturage, or even the growth of grain 
and other vegetables. Hundreds of families might be located in this sec- 
tion of the country with advantage. 

The number of acre3 of cleared land, including marsh, in 1851, was 
839 322, and in 1827 there were only 274,501 ; shewing an increase of 
504,821 acres cleared within the short space of 24 years. 

Agricultural Products. 

Wheat grows well in the central and eastern parts of Nova Scotia proper, 
including the range from the Gut of Canso to the New Brunswick boundary, 



303 

but the fogs of the Atlantic and Bay of Fundy are highly prejudicial to its 
ripening on these shores. In 1851. there were 297,157 bushels of this 
grain raised in the Province ; of which 186,497, or nearly two thirds were 
grown in the counties of Sydney, Pictou, Colchester and Cumberland ; this 
fact shews the superiority of this section of the Province in the production 
of wheat, and the same peculiarity extends along the whole north eastern 
shore of New Brunswick to the boundary of Canada. 
In 1851 j there were raised in this Province — 

Oats, 1,384,437 bushels 

Barley, 196,097 " 

Bye, 61,438 " 

Buckwheat, 170,301 

Indian Corn, 37,475 " 

In 1 827, there were raised, of wheat, 161,416 bushels, and of other 
grain, 799,665 bushels. 

By the statistical returns of 1851, it appears that the middle and eastern 
counties, including Cape Breton, produce the largest comparative quantity 
of oats — each section seems to be equally adapted for the growth of barley. 
We cannot, however, rely on these tables to shew the crops which may be 
best suited to a new country ; as farmers are very apt, when one kind of 
produce succeeds well, to pursue its cultivation to the neglect of others. 
This was the case with regard to potatoes, for the growth of which all these 
Provinces were so well adapted, previous to their being affected by disease. 
This practice cannot be too strongly represented, as it is a part of the duty 
of every scientific farmer to attend to the culture of all such productions as 
the climate and soil of his country will permit. 



With regard 


to other agricultural productions, there 


were raised in 




1851. 


1827. 


Increase. 


Hay, 


287.837 tons 


150.976 tons 


137,861 


Peas and Beans 


, 21,638 bushels 






Grass seed3, 


3,686 " 




Decrease. 


Potatoes, 


1,986,789 " 


2,434,766 bushels 


447,977 


Turnips, 


467,127 " 






Other roots, 


32,325 " 






Butter, 


3,613,890 pounds 






Cheese, 


652,069 " 







The above table shews the effect produced by the disease in the potatoes, 
which commenced in 1845. and has continued to affect them in some parts 
of the country, until the present time. However it is now disappearing, 
and we may hope that thi'3 excellent esculent is beginning to recover its for- 
mer prosperity. The deficiency in the crop raised in 1851, compared with 
that produced 24 years previous, when the facilities for their growth were 
much less, is very remarkable. 

The average time of sowing and reaping may be taken as follows : 

lowing. Reaping. 

Wheat, May 11th August 20th 

Oats, " 5th " 25th 

Barley, June 1st " 10th 

Buckwheat, " 20th Sept. 15th 

The average of each of these periods, as well as that of digging potatoes 
and other roots, is a few days earlier along the southern division of Nova 



304 

Scotia, than it is in New Brunswick, but the difference is generally very 
little. 

Average yield and weight : 
Wheat ; bushels per acre 



29 


weight, per bushel 


60 lbs. 


40 


(( (C 


40 " 


38 


It tt 


51 " 


39 


tt CI 


52 " 


41 


c; (( 


53 " 



Barley, " " 

Rye, 

Buckwheat, " " 

Potatoes, when not affected by rot, 225 

Turnips, 500 

Mangold Wurtzel, 600 

Hay from 1| to 2 tons per acre. 

The weight of wheat exhibited at the Industrial Exhibition held at Hali- 
fax in 1854, varied from 63 to Q6 lbs. per bushel ; buckwheat from 56 to 
58 ; barley 57 ; oats from 41 to 48 ; indian corn 62, and rye 58. 

Root crops arrives at great perfection in this Province, as well as a variety 
of grasses. The upland produces timothy, and both red and white clover ; 
and the marshes yield the same herbage, with the other varieties of hay 
grass such as salt hay, sage, brown top meadows abound also with several 
species, all of which are eagerly sought for both by sheep and peat cattle. 

Flax and hemp, especially the former, are readily produced. Flax grows 
in great luxuriance, and might be cultivated to a much greater extent than 
it is at present. Its manufacture would afford profitable employment for 
farm servants during the winter season, and its production therefore deserves 
special attention. 

The culture of fruit may be carried to a great extent in this Colony. 
Few districts on this continent can exceed the counties of Annapolis, 
Kings, and other sections of the Province, bounding on the Bay of Fundy 
and its branches, in the growth of apples and all the other productions of 
the orchard. The soil is here peculiarly adapted to orchard culture, and the 
farmers possess these advantages in addition to the grain producing qualities 
of the country, which affords them a decided preference, possessing also am- 
ple market, over the other counties of the Province. 

The general character of Nova Scotia for raising farm stocks is good. 
In summer, pasturage is abundant, and enough of food can be obtained for 
the support of an adequate number of live stock during the winter. 

There were of farm stock in the Province in 





1851. 


1827. 


Increase in 24 years. 


Horses, 


28.789 


13,232 


15,557 


Neat cattle, 
Milch cows 


156,857 ) 
86,856 \ 


100,739 


142 974 


Sheep, 


282,780 


152,979 


129,101 
Decrease. 


Swine, 


51,533 


75,772 


13,139 



The reader is referred to page 58, in the first chapter of this work, for a 
comparative tabular statement of the agricultural products of this Province, 
by which it will appear that Nova Scotia exceeds the thirty-five States 
named in the table, in the growth of wheat, barley, oats, buckwheat, pota- 
toes, and hay, and in the making of butter. 

The number of persons engaged in agriculture in 1858 was 81,604, which 
exooeda the number in Now Brunswick in relative proportion to the popula- 
tion. This trim from the latter Province having a fur more extensive lura- 



305 

bering region. However, many of the farmers of Nova Scotia, like tho3e of 
the sister colony, divide their time between lumbering, the manufacturing of 
timber in saw mills, fishing, ship building and variou3 other pursuits, which 
have a tendency to prevent the profitable carrying on of either ; especially 
as farming requires undivided attention to ensure success. This desultory 
adoption of various callings appears to be common to all new countries. It 
arises, in the first instance, from necessity and the scarcity of laborers ; but 
Nova Scotia has surely now far advanced as to supersede that absolute ne- 
cessity existing in a new settlement for one man to act the part of lum- 
berer, ship carpenter, mason, house carpenter, fisherman and farmer. Most 
certainly he who attempts all these avocations rarely accumulates wealth by 
either. 

The farmers of this Province in common with those of the sister colonies 
have one important lesson to learn, namely, to make agriculture both prac- 
tical and scientific, their primary objects. Then will the rich treasures 
which the soil is capable of affording manifest themselves in such a manner 
as to afford abundance of food both for man and beast, besides ensuring the 
advancement of the character of the colony, and its due appreciation both 
at home and abroad. 

Agricultural Societies. 

There is in Halifax a Central Board of Agriculture, under the direction 
of the government ; and there are also many county or district societies, 
which are under the control of this Board. A Committee of the House of 
Assembly, in 1854, reported the existence of "forty- two local societies in 
the several counties," and that they were all "in active and useful opera- 
tion," besides five others, from which no reports had been received. 

The annual grants from the Legislature for the encouragement of agricul- 
ture vary according to circumstances. In 1854, they amounted to £3175, 
besides the usual grant of £540 to promote the erection of oat mills and 
kilns throughout the Province. 

The Committee in closing their report, say that " they cannot refrain 
from noticing the favorable prospect in view in reference to the progressive 
advancement of our agricultural interests, by the worthy example shewn by 
his Excellency Sir John Gaspard LeMarchant, the Lieutenant Governor, 
while engaging with zeal and energy in the promotion of those objects best 
calculated to direct the attention of the farming classes to their true inter- 
ests, in the improvement of their circumstances, and the elevation of their 
position ; and which has not been without its effect upon the minds of many 
of the ablest and leading men of the Province, who are now directing much 
attention to the noble and honorable avocation of agriculture with renewed 
energies and with a newly acquired impetus, and from which we may rea- 
sonably hope the most favorable results may ensue." 

In addition to the several sums before mentioned, the Legislature grant- 
ed, in aid of individual subscription to an equ^l amount, the sum of £1000, 
for the purposes of the Industrial Exhibition, which was held in Halifax 
during the summer of 1854. 



41 



306 



POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS. 
Governors, and Administrators of the Government, since 1710. 



Colonel Vetch, 

F. Nicholson, 

R. Philips, 

R. Doucett, 

L. Armstrong, 

J. Adams, 

P. Mascarene, 

Hon. G. Cornwallis, 

P. Hopson, 

C. Lawrence, 

R. Moncton, 

J. Belcher, 

M. Wilmot, 

M. Franklin, 

Lord W. Campbell, 

M. Franklin, 

Lord W. Campbell, 

F, Leger, 

M. Frank 1 "!, 

M. Arbuthnott, 

R. Hughes, 

Sir A. A. Hammond, 

J. Parr, 

Sir A. A. Hammond, 



1710IE. Fanning, 
1714 R. Bulkly, 
1719 J. Wentworth, 
1722 Sir G. Prevost, 
17 25 A. Crooke, 
1739JSir J. bherbrooke, 
1740 General Darrah, 
1749 Sir J. Sherbrooke, 
1752!General Smyth, 
1754, Earl of Dalhousie, 

M. Wallace, 
1760 Lord Dalhousie, 
1764 Sir J. Kempt, 
1766 M. Wallace, 

Sir J. Kempt, 

1772 M.Wallace, 
Sir J. Kempt, 

1773 M.Wallace, 
(Sir P. Maitland, 

1776iSir C. Campbell, 
1778;Lord Falkland, 
1781|Sir John Harvey, 
1782jCol. J. Bazalgette, 

[Sir J. G. LeMarchant, 



1783 
1791 
1792 
1808 
1809 
1811 
1811 
1814 
1816 
1816 
1818 
1819 
1820 
1824 
1825 



1828 

1834 
1840 
1846 
1852 
1852 
had 



Thus, during one hundred and forty-five years, this Province has 
forty-eight administrators of its government. 

The Lieutenant Governor is the chief Executive officer, representing 
the Sovereign ; and he, with his Executive Council, the ministry of the 
colony, makes appointments to all public offices, and performs all the duties 
appertaining to that branch of the Legislature. 

The Legislative bodies consist of a Legislative Council, nominated by 
the Crown, and a House of Assembly, elected quadrenially by the counties 
and townships, as follows 





Members. 




Members. 


County of Halifax, 


2 




Town of Halifax, 


2 


Queen's, 


2 




Liverpool, 


1 


Lunenburg, 


2 




Lunenburg, 


1 


Shelburne, 


1 


s 


Shelburne, 


1 

m 


i 




Harrington, 


1 


Yarmouth, 


1 


s 


Yarmouth, 
Argyle, 


1 
1 


Digty, 


1 


s 


Digby, 
Clare, 


1 

1 


Annapolis, 


1 




Annapolis, 
Granville, 


1 
1 


King's, 


2 


\ 


Cornwallis, 
Horton, 


1 
1 


Cumberland, 


2 




Amherst, 


1 


Sydney, 


2 









307 





Members. 




Memb 


Guysborough, 
Pictou, 


2 

2 


Pictou, 


1 


Colchester, 


2 ! 


Southern District, 
Northern do., 


1 
1 


Hants, 


2 ) 


Windsor, 
Falmouth, 


1 
1 


Cape Breton, 
Richmond, 


1 
1 


Newport, 

Sydney, 

Arichat, 


1 

1 


Invemess, 
Victoria, 


2 
2 







Totals, 30 And for the townships. 23 

We have fully gone into the variety of offices, and the duties of each, 
under the head of New Brunswick, and shall not therefore repeat what we 
have already stated. The differences between the two governments are very 
slight, and merely nominal. 

In the Judicial Department the Court of Chancery is now abolished, 
as it has also been in New Brunswick, and its business transferred to the 
Supreme Court, 

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 

The postal accommodation of Nova Scotia is as good as can be reasonably 
expected in a new colony. As soon as a settlement is formed, and applica- 
tion made to the Provincial Government for mail conveyance, it is most rea- 
dily granted ; and even where not more than two or three families are ga- 
thered together, the mails are known to stop on their way and leave a mail 
bag. 

Previous to 1851, when the Post Office Department of this, as well as 
the other North American Colonies, was under the control of the Imperial 
Post Office, the postage of letters passing through these Provinces was in 
many cases even four times its present rate, besides which the postal arrange- 
ments were not by any means so good as at present, and it was difficult, even 
with great delay, to effect alterations or improvements, which required re- 
ference to the Home Office ; but in that year the experiment that had been 
so successfully tried in England, was introduced in British America, the 
several Provinces taking the management respectively, and, of course mak- 
ing up any deficiency of the revenue to defray the cost of the establish- 
ment. 

The following comparative synopsis will shew the state of this de- 
partment : — 

In 1851, the number of post and way offices was 143 

In 1853, they numbered 225 

And on the 1st November, 1854, 260 

The revenue of this department in 1850, under the high 

rate of postage, amounted to £7,065 

In 1854, under the uniform three penny rate 6,905 

Deficient, only £160 



308 

The distance travelled in 1851, was 2,487 miles. 

" 1854, " 3 ; 027 " 

Increase in four years 540 " 



The aggregate distance travelled in 1851, to and fro 352 000 

" ' " " 1854, " 568.000 



it 



Registered mony letters in 1851, 5.000 

1854, 7,260 



In 1852, there passed through the post office 457.000 letters 

And nearly 1.000,000 I news " 

J 5 papers 

The total expenditure in 1853, was £9.283 

1854, 10,159 

Thus it will be seen that, while the Province had, in 1854. to disburse 
the sum of £10,159 in keeping up its postal establishments, it only received 
a revenue of £6,905, leaving a deficiency of £3.154 to be provided for; 
this was in part occasioned by dead letters, and by the packet postage due 
to Great Britain on letters to and from Europe. But if this department 
had not extended its postal accommodation in 1854, beyond what it was in 
1851, there would not have been a deficiency of more than half this amount, 
notwithstanding the great reduction of postage. 

The result of these statistics evidently shews the great advantage of cheap- 
ening every branch of the public service, so as to bring it within the reach 
of all — and consequently to the accommodation of all. 

REVENUE. 

The almost insulated character of Nova Scotia has rendered it eminently 
adapted for commercial pursuits. The following summary will be found to 
contain its revenue for the last four years : — 

The revenue derived from customs, excise, light dues and other incidental 
sources was in 1836, £49,466; in 1846, £82,776. 

The total revenue collected in 1847, was £111,000 and exportation in 
the same year was £109 ; 905. In 1852, the revenue wa3 £93,039 sterling. 
The public debt of the Province to the end of the year 1852, stood thus : 
On interest at 4 per cent sterling, ' 200 

Province paper afloat, not paying interest, 47,889 



Total £87,089 



Gros3 amount of imports in 1852, was £1,194,175 

Exports during the same year, 970,780 

Excess of imports over exports, £22< 

The articles exported are put at the market prices obtained in the colony, 
and the prices of shipment during tho same year, are not included, which 
fully accounts for the value of tho imports so far exceeding those of the ex* 
ports* 



309 

In 1845, Nova Scotia owned 2583 vessels, amounting to 141,093 tons; 
and in 1852, she owned 2943 vessels, with a tonnage of 189.083, shewing 
an increase in six years of 360 vessels, and 47,900 tons; nearly two tons 
of shipping for every three of its inhabitants. 

The value of imports in 1853, and from what country imported: 
Imports from Great Britain, 

" " North America, 

" " 'vVest Indies, 

" " United States, 

" " Other Countries, 

Total 
Nett increase over 1852, was 
Exports to Great Britain, 

11 North America, 

" West Indies, 

t£ United States, 

" Other Countries, 

Total £1,078 TOT 15 

Nett increase over 1852, was £107,927 8 

The above amount of revenue was collected at 4T ports. Total number 
of vessels built in 1853, was 203, of the gro-s tonnage of 34.376, and va- 
lued at .£315 418 sterling ; of this number 49 vessels were sold in Great 
Britain ; 30 in the British Colonies, and seven in the United States. 

The casual and territorial revenue for 1853, was derived as follows : — 
Rent of coal mines, £3,750 

" of reserved mines. 15 

Royalty on 39,156 chaldrons of coals at 2s., 3 ; 915 12 

Crown Lands, 6.567 1 4 

Fees collected in 1852, 659 2 9 



£471.648 





310,161 





20,T50 





415 909 10 





198,617 15 





£1,417,086 5 





£222,910 15 





102.332 





411.181 5 





208 652 





277,946 10 





78,596 






Total £14,893 1 1 

State of the Province 2>\st December, 1853 : 

Treasury notes in circulation, £59,862 

Amount due deposited in the savings bank, 50,000 

Undrawn for roads and bridges, 2 526 

" for other services, 15 350 

Amount due to board of works for various services, 3,833 



Total £131,571 
Cr.— Ballance in hands of the Receiver General, £17,266 
Due from collectors at outports, 6.456 
" " Halifax Excise, 'l88 
" " Casual and territorial revenue, 7,549 
ii £C Canada, New Brunswick, and Prince Ed- 
ward Island, for light houses, 1,104 
" i: Different counties for advance for roads 

and bridges, 1,691 

" il Dalhousie College, 5,000 

fl « Cowl property, J^OO 



310 

The whole, including odd shillings and pence, amounts to £40,457 6 6 
Leaving a balance of £91,114128 

The reports of the House of Assembly, from which we have extracted 
the above, say " that the net ballance in favor of the Province, 31st De- 
cember, 1853, is £5,696 13s. 9d. 

As the articles on which the ad valorem and specific duties are collected, 
are so numerous we do not insert them. Besides the tariff is so liable to 
change, that the articles which may be subject to duty this year may be 
free next year and vice versa. 

Estimate of the expenses of the civil government of the Province, for 
the year 1854 : 

Lieutenant Governor's salary £3,750 

Private Secretary to " '312 10 

Cost of Administration of justice, 6.465 

" Provincial Secretary's Office, 1,400 

" Receiver General's " 865 

" Financial Secretary's " 815 

" Legislature, 5,846 16 

" Revenue, 4,580 

" Militia, 290 

" Miscellaneous, 11.350 
Amounting in the whole to £37,399 6s. Od, inclusive of the cost of educa- 
tion. 
The gross revenue for 1854, was £131,000. 

LIGHT HOUSES. 

From the insular position, numerous harbors, and maritime character of 
Nova Scotia, it is very difficult and costly to maintain sufficient light house ac- 
commodation on all necessary parts of its extensive coast. In addition to 
those already erected, many others are wanting. However, the Local Go- 
vernment is continually erecting new houses, and otherwise, facilitating the 
safety of the numerous fleet continually studding its coast. 

List of Light Houses. 

Pictou, north entrance —fixed light. 
Do., south entrance — beacon light. 
Chedabacto Bay, head— fixed light. 
Isle Madame— beacon light. 
Sydney Harbor, east side — fixed light. 
Port Hood Harbor, southern entrance— fixed light. 
Louisburg Harbor, east side — fixed light. 
White Head 7sfa??d— flash light. 
Margarce Island — new light. 
Cranburry Island, Canso— fixed light. 
Maugher's Beach, Halifax harbor, east side — fixed light. 
Devils Island, entrance of Halifax harbor — red light. 
Sambro Island— fixed light. 

Cross Island, Lunenburg harbor — two lights, a fixed and flash light 
Coffin's Island, Liverpool— revolving light. 
Port Medway— beacon light. 



311 

McNutfs Island, Shelburne — two fixed lights. 

Baccaro Point, Barrington Bay, east side — flash light. 

Yarmouth Harbor — revolving light. 

South Seal Island — fixed light. 

Briar Island. Bay of Fundy — fixed light. 

Digby Gut — fixed light. 

West/port Harbor — two lights. 

Black Rock — fixed light. 

Horton Bluff — beacon light. 

Beaver Island — revolving light. 

Apple River, Chignecto Bay — two fixed lights. 

Partridge Island River — fixed lights. 

Gull Rock — fixed light. 

Pubnico — beacon light. 

There are other light houses in course of erection, namely : one on Mar- 
garee Island, and another on Scatarie Island, in Cape Breton ; one at the 
entrance to La Have River, in the county of Lunenburg ; Long Island, 
county of Digby, and Haut Isle. Bay of Fundy. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Second only to the agricultural interests of a country, come the manu- 
facturing, which generally promote and encourage all the mechanical occu- 
pations. The farmer may be said to produce the raw material, and the 
manufacturer and mechanic to prepare it for the use of man. While the 
agriculturist and manufacturer, if they wish to attain proficiency in their 
respective vocations, are each required to pursue their separate calling, still 
there must always exist a most intimate connection between them ; for the 
farmer stands in need of axes, scythes, and various other articles of ordi- 
nary use, as he does also of houses and other erections for himself and his 
cattle ; but it would be bad economy for him to neglect his fields and apply 
his unskilled hand to the labors of the blacksmith, the carpenter, or the 
mason ; nor can the mechanic till the soil without neglecting his own pecu- 
liar calling. By the division of labor, however, the mechanic builds the 
towns or cities, and provides the necessary implements : the manufacturer 
produces all the various and indispensable articles of common use, while the 
farmer provides the raw material for most of those articles, and the food 
which is requisite for those engaged in their production, — thus forming the 
base and foundation on which the commercial, or, it may be said, the whole 
social fabric is reared. 

The truth of the old axiom, that there is no general rule without an ex- 
ception, is especially applicable, in this respect, to new countries ; for it be- 
comes absolutely necessary that the pioneers in a colony should be able to 
manufacture the principal articles required for their domestic use, until they 
are able to carry out a division of labor, and to devote the attention of a 
part of their number to the production of the raw materials and the means 
of support, while others are engaged in manufacturing and preparing such 
raw materials for use. 

The Province of Nova Scotia has long since arrived at this status ; but, 
like its neighboring colonies, it finds it hard to forget the customs of its 
childhood : the farmer is still, in a great measure, the manufacturer, and 
vice versa. They have both yet to adopt, practically, the adage, that what 



312 

is worth doing at all is worth doing well ; that part farmer, part mechanic, 
and part manufacturer, will not do in this advanced stage of the country's 
progress. It is high time that each pursued his own calling in such a man- 
ner as its nature and importance may demand. 

The manufactories of the Province, if we except the domestic manufac- 
ture of homespun cloth, have, until recently, been confined to the operations 
of sawing wood into deals, boards, shingles and scantling, some of which are 
shipped to Great Britain, and others to the United States : and also to the 
erection of mills for these purposes, and for the manufacture of flour and 
meal. There are iron foundaries at Halifax and Pictou, and in some other 
localities, where excellent castings are made from imported iron, in place of 
employing the ore of the Province, which is most abundant, but which is only 
smelted at the Acadian Mines, in Londonderry, and at Nictau. 

Tanneries, pail manufactories, potteries, grindstone works, cloth factories 
and carding mills are numerous. Coaches, waggons, carts, ploughs, and 
other farm utcnsih, together with every variety of household furniture re- 
quired for domestic use, are made in the Province. Cider, ale, beer, soap, 
candles, bricks, hats, bonnets, of a quality somewhat resembling the leg- 
horn, maple sugar, paints, brooms, &c, are also manufactured in various 
localities. 

Still, there is a great deficiency in this respect ; too much preference is 
given to articles of foreign origin, however worthless they may be in point 
of wear and quality, while too little store is set upon the productions of the 
Province, and too little encouragement given to their producers. Too much 
money is sent abroad in payment for the very articles which Nova Scotia 
itself is well calculated to produce. Few countries on this continent are 
better adapted for the raising long-woolled sheep, both as respects the quali- 
ty of the wool, and the ease with which they can be kept : and none can 
exceed it in the growth of flax. Thus the raw material might be afforded 
in abundance for manufacturing cloth of every description. The country 
is thoroughly traversed by streams, affording water power for spinning mills 
and looms ; while, for the more powerful application of steam, coals are not 
wanting. We have seen, too, on several occasions, that the inhabitants are 
not deficient in taste ; so that these articles might be produced in every va- 
riety of form and color. 

As we have before stated, iron ore is most abundant ; yet stoves, and 
every other article made from that metal, are imported. Salt springs are very 
numerous, but none is manufactured. It is true that the plaster and wood 
are exported to pay for these articles, but it is the interest of the inhabitants 
to augment their exports, and to employ them in the procuring such com- 
modities as their own country cannot produce, not of such as tncy have be- 
neath their feet. Coal, however, lies at the foundation of every description 
of manufacture ; and until the coal mines are effectively and abundantly 
worked, it is in vain to look for much progress in any other department. 
We have spoken of the extent to which the fisheries of New Brunswick 
uight be carried — and it is the same with regard to Is ova Scotia. The 
whole Province may almost be considered as one vast fishing station, where 
sufficient fish, of every variety, might be taken and prepared for the mar- 
kets of the world. If these resources were adequately developed, the agri- 
culturist would find a home market for all his productions, and a most pow- 
erful stimulus would thus be applied to the cultivation of the soil. 

An increased demand for many of the articles of export will probably 



313 

soon arise, in consequence of the Reciprocity Treaty ; but there is one con- 
sideration, with regard to its operation, which should not be lost sight of; — 
while the colonists are allowed many additional commercial privileges, they 
ought not to depend too much on the importations from the States in re- 
turn ; but they should keep a single eye to the growth and manufacture of 
those commodities for which their soil, their climate, and their minerals are 
especially adapted, so as to be prepared to encounter those periodical com- 
mercial storms and adversities which never fail sometimes to visit all coun- 
tries on the face of the globe. 

The following figures, taken from the return of 1851, will shew the then 
state of the Province in respect of manufactures, and the value of manu- 
factured articles : 

Saw mills, 1153 ; grist mills, 398 ; steam mills, 10 ; tanneries, 237 ; — 
gross value of the whole £188,280. The value of leather manufactured 
was £52,625 ; boots and shoes, .£73,654 ; the number of foundaries was 
9, and valued at £12,900; the value of iron castings and iron smelted was 
£8,121: weaving and carding establishments, 81; hand looms, 11.096; 
yards of cloth failed, 119,689 ; ditto not fulled, 790,104 ; yards of 
flannel, 219.352; breweries, 17, gallons of malt liquor manufactured, 
78 ; 076; gallons of distilled liquor, 11,900; other factories, 131. The 
value of agricultural implements made, £16,640; cabinet ware, £11,- 
155; carriages, £9,491; wooden ware, £19,233, soap, £28,277; candles, 
£21,210. 

Value of manufactured goods exported from Nova Scotia in — 

Cotton and woolen, 
Leather and leather goods, 
Ale, porter and cider, 
Staves, spars, timber, deals, &c, 

Totals £175,369 £202,479 

The value of lumber, &c, exported in 1847, was £76,332, which is 
more than doubled by two class of manufactured articles in 1843. 

PROVINCIAL EXHIBITION. 

An Industrial Exhibition was held in Halifax during the summer of 1854 ; 
the fund raised amounted to £2,000, one half being granted by the Legis- 
lature, the other produced from private subscription. In addition to the 
Province Building, which was placed at the disposal of the Committee, there 
were two large tents erected ; and the whole, including the various apart- 
ments of the building, were crowded with what may be called a Panorama 
of the Productions of Nova Scotia, strongly evincing its real and substantial 
wealth. The number of exhibitors was 1,260; and the articles received 
for exhibition amounted to 3,010. 

Numerous prizes were awarded for minerals, vegetable productions, in- 
cluding grain, fruit, roots, cabbages, herbs, grasses, and flowers, for hors?s, 
cattle, sheep and swine, for manufactures in metal, wood, grain, parts of 
animals, woolen, linen and leather, and for fish. Prizes and diplomas were 
also distributed for productions in the fine arts, Provincial Literature, models, 
Indian works, music, and many other similar effects in ingenuity. Most of 
the articles exhibited were of a superior order, and it is only necessary for 
42 



1852 and 


1S53. 


£31,645 


£29,949 


3.348 


3.235 


3,180 


4,455 


137,196 


164 795 



314 

tho3e who may be sceptical as to the capabilities of the Province of Nova 
Scotia, if any such there are, to visit such an exhibition, consisting, not of 
imported articles, but of the actual productions of this partially developed 
Province, to be fully convinced of what might be done if its varied resources 
were adequately carried out. 

ROADS AND DISTANCES, WITH FACILITIES FOR TRAVELLING 

The roads of Nova, bcotia, like those of New Brunswick, are, for the 
most part supported by, and under the control of the Legislature. They 
are divided into great and bye roads ; the principal mail routes receive the 
largest amount of public support. In addition to the geographical fact that 
nearly the whole external boundary of the Province is washed by navigable 
waters, and its interior interspersed with lakes, and intersected by streams, 
varying from the brook to the navigable river, there are roads constructed 
or projected along its sea girt margin, and traversing it in almost every di- 
rection , so that where nature has failed in providing a pathway, the hand 
of man has supplied the deficiency. These roads connect the numerous sea 
ports, towns and villages, and even the most remote settlements with each 
other ; and the means of transit are so far perfected that a safe, tolerably 
rapid and cheap communication is kept up between all its settled districts. 

The old roads of the country generally manifest a want of system and of 
engineering skill ; but recently, great improvements have been introduced, 
as well in the location as in the mode of construction. 

"Whenever a settlement is formed, or even one, two or three families are 
gathered together, they are obliged to devote a small portion of their own 
time to construction of roads ; and in addition to this, on application to the 
Legislature, grants of money in aid are annually obtained, until the whole 
road is rendered passable. Thus, indeed, no person need fear settling in the 
most distant recess of the forest, as he may be sure that, on making his case 
known, he will receive legislative assistance to enable him, with some exer- 
tion of his own, to construct a sufficient pathway to some nearer and older 
settlement. And this assistance answers a two fold purpose to the new set- 
tler ; for while it is devoted to making a road to his own door, he has also 
the best chance of getting employment in the construction of that road at 
such a season of the year as will least interfere with the cultivation of his 
farm. 

In addition to the large sums annually granted for opening and improving 
the roads of the country, the inhabitants are required by law to contribute 
in proportion to their property, to the same purpose, in their respective dis- 
tricts ; this is done either in labor or money, and amounts to but a slight 
tax, and that appropriated to the local accommodation, and increase in value 
of the property of each individual. 

The reader is referred to the map of roads and railroads for the position 
of the principal roads of the Province. 

The following figures shew the sums granted for the great and bye roads 
in the several years nnmed : — 

1850. 1852. 1854. 7855. 

£24,200 £33,500 £43,000 £45 000. 

These sums are apportioned among the roads of the different counties as 
necessity may require on the division of the grant for 1855, some counties 
were allowed about £2,000, while others received about £3,500 ; the whole 



315 

being thus distributed in such a way as might produce the greatest amoun 
of public benefit. 

ROADS AND MAILS, 

Road from Halifax to New Brunswick* 

Halifax to Truro — Qo miles — 6 mails per week. 

Truro to Amherst — 60 miles, ] 

Amherst to New Brunswick Boundary,^ « I g ^ per weekt 

Total, 128 " J 

Truro to Pictou — 40 miles — 6 mails per week. 

Pictou to Antigonish — 50 miles — 2 mails per week. 

Antigonish to Canseau Jerry — 33 miles — 2 mails per week. 

Totals : from Halifax to Pictou — 105 miles ; and Halifax to Canseau— 
188 miles. 

Pictou to Amherst, via Wallace — 88 miles — 2 mails per week. 

Halifax to Windsor — 45 miles — 6 mails per week. 

Windsor to Yarmouth, viz. to Kentville, via Wolfville — =23 miles — 6 
mails per week. 

Kentville to Annapolis — 60 miles — 6 mails per week, 

Annapolis to Digby — 20 miles — do. do. 

Digby to Yarmouth — 6Q miles — do. do. 

Making a total, from Halifax to Yarmouth, of 214 miles. 

From Halifax to Yarmouth, by the Atlantic coast, the distances are as 
follows : — To Lunenburg, 70 miles ; Lunenburg to Liverpool. 36 miles ; 
Liverpool to Shelburne, 40 ; and from Shelbume to Yarmouth, 56 miles ; 
making, in the whole, 202 miles. The mails travel this line three times a 
week, calling at all the towns and principal villages on the way. 

From Plaister Cove, at Canseau, to Port Hood, on Cape Breton, is 30 
miles ; Plaister Cove to Sydney, via St. Peter's, 76 miles : Plaister Cove to 
Arichat, 27 miles ; and Sydney to Margaree, via the Sydney Mines, 64 
miles. There are two mails a week travelling over a part of these distances. 

The principal mails to and from Prince Edward Island go by way of Pic- 
tou during the summer ; though mail bags are made up at various places 
along the Nova Scotia and Sew Brunswick shores, for, and are received 
from the Island in return by sailing packet. 

A speedy conveyance is kept up between Halifax and St. John, via An- 
napolis, by coach and steamer. 

Sailing packets run between Halifax and Saint John. 

Liverpool, N. S. 
" " " Guysborough, 

Mills Village, 
" " " Windsor and Parrsborough, 

" " " Newfoundland. 

Bermuda. 

There are two good lines of packets regularly running between Halifax and 
Boston. 

We must not omit to mention the English steamers, of the Cunard line, 
which touch at Halifax semi-monthly, and leave the mails for the Lower 
Provinces, on their voyages both out and home, between Liverpool, in Eng- 
land, and Boston. 



316 

Thug it will be observed that the facilities of communication, both as re- 
gards the many excellent roads, the conveyances by stage coach and packet, 
and the various foreign lines of sailing vessels and steamers, are numerous 
and increasing, not only between the various sections of the Province, but 
from its metropolis to the neighboring countries, and to Europe. 

And, from present prospects, we may fully anticipate that the time is at 
hand when new and extensive leading arteries will be opened throughout 
British North America, to be traversed by that more modern and rapid 
mode of conveyance, the iron horse. 

EDUCATION, LITERATURE, AND RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 

The educational system of this Province, like that of New Brunswick, 
I has been the subject of repeated legislative enactments, no one of them last- 
ing longer than merely to ascertain its operation. 

In the absence of a compulsory assessment, thai principle has, in some 
few instances, been voluntarily adopted, but not to a sufficient extent to ren- 
der its beneficial effects generally known. 

The Province had recently a very efficient Superintendant of Education, 
in the person of W. J. Dawson, Esq., of Pictou, who has taken the greatest 
interest in the education of the rising generation. The annual reports fur- 
nished to the Government by this gentleman are replete with valuable in- 
formation on the state of the schools throughout Nova Scotia. He has been 
succeeded by the Rev. Alexander Forrester, a gentleman equally calculated 
to promote this great object. 

In the year 1842, there were, including grammar schools, 797 schools, 
Attended by 23,233 scholars. 

In the same year, there were raised by individual subscriptions, in sup- 
port of these schools, ,£20,367 currency. 
Paid by the Legislature, 7 ..369 " 
By the first report made by Mr. Dawson, in the year 1850, there were 
in the Province, taking the average of winter and summer, schools. 864 
Average attendance, 25,328 
By the census of 1851, there were schools in the Province, 1,096 
Scholars in attendance, 31.354 
The numbers, both of schools and scholars in attendance, shewn by the 
census of 1851, are exaggerated, as will appear from the subsequent school 
reports. 

By the Superintendant's return for 1851, there were in operation, 

In winter, in 1851, 825 schools, 28,528 pupils. 

Do. 1850, 886 " 

In summer, 1851, 1,004 " 

Do. 1850, 843 " 

Average salary of teachers in 1851, 

1850, 
In the Provincial report for 1852, the state of the schools stood thus : 

Winter. Summer. 

Number of schools, <">28 984 

Attended by, scholars, 31,901 33,624 

So that the average attendance for the year 1852 is 32,762 pupils ; and 
the inorease of 1852 over that of 1850 is 7,484 scholars. 
In the school report; for 1852, Mr. Dawaon flays (pag* 25) i— ■ " Littlo 



22,818 


ct 


30,631 


(f 


27.'S38 


II 


£38 11 


n 


36 7 


n 



317 

change appears in the support of schools. The apparent improvement m 
support of schools, and salaries of teachers, in the past year, is mainly at- 
tributable to the establishment of a greater number of grammar schools. 
These, it will be seen, have been steadily increasing from 25, in 1850, to 
43 in 1852. This shews an increasing desire for a higher education than 
that afforded by common schools, and is a hopeful symptom of increased in- 
terest in the more central and wealthier districts of the several counties." 

The report, after shewing the comparatively small and irregular atten- 
dance of pupils, and that there are " 20,000 children destitute of educa- 
tion," says : — " No stronger argument for assessment and free schools can 
be obtained, than that afforded by these facts, when compared with the 
statistics of free school countries, which often show ten -fourteenths of 
the persons between four and fifteen to be in regular attendance at the 
schools. 

" In almost all the well-conditioned sections of the European continent, 
the average attendance at school is about one-sixth of the population. In 
the New England States, where the assessment principle prevails, the average 
is much larger, amounting to one in every four. In Nova Scotia and New 
Brunswick, there is about one in nine, of the whole population, attending 
school." 

Although the school attendance in this Province is not proportionate to 
the population, still the returns do not shew the actual state of education, 
inasmuch as there are many families who, though the children do not attend 
school, make self-culture a first duty ; and, in this age of cheap rudimental 
and other literary works — so much so, that " ho who runs may read" — there 
is no great difficulty for anyone, availing himself of these facilities, to obtain 
such an education as may enable him to transact the various duties of ordi- 
nary life. 

The amount appropriated in aid of education, for the years 

1850, was £10,592 ) ' C £25,139 ) Raisedbvthe 

1851, " 10,668 } Provincial allowance. \ 23,402 } ^ea oytne 

1852, " 11,995 ) ( 26,851 ) mnaDltants - 
The average sum contributed by each individual, for every one pound re- 
ceived from the Province, is £2 5s. 

The average salary of teachers is £26 raised hy the district, and £13 
from the Legislature, making a total of £39 paid to each teacher from both 
sources. 

In addition to these amounts, the Legislature made grants for the pur- 
chase of books, and philosophical apparatus, for schools ; the amount ex- 
pended for these purposes, in 1852, was £620 currency. 

Besides the common schools, many of which are of a superior order, and 
teach the higher branches of education, there were, in 1852, not less than 
43 grammar schools in the Province, attended by 1200 scholars. These 
schools receive from the Legislature the sum of £1,165, and about double 
that amount by private subscription. 

The sums appropriated by the Legislature annually, both for parish and 
grammar schools, are distributed by the terms of the grant throughout the 
different county sub-divisions into which the Province is divided, as circum- 
stances may require, and again apportioned, hy the local authorities, among 
the different settlements, as the local boards may think most advisable and 
judicious. 



318 



Collegiate and other Institutions. 



'b 



The Province of Nova Scotia, like that of New Brunswick, has no gene- 
ral Educational University ; but every religious denomination supports its 
own literary institutions of a higher order, with the exception of a small 
sum annually granted in aid of each by the Legislature. 

The earliest institution of this nature is King's College, at Windsor, in 
the County of Hants, which was founded by Royal Charter in 1789. This 
establishment was, and still is, under the control of the Church of England; 
from the year 1 802 to 1833, it received Imperial aid to the amount of £1000, 
sterling, per annum, but this grant was then reduced to £500. and was short- 
ly afterwards withdrawn. 

This College continued to receive £444 currency, from the revenue of 
the Province, until 1851, when the Legislature passed " an Act to discon- 
tinue the grant to King's College, Windsor;" by which a conditional annu- 
al grant of £250 is placed at the disposal of the governor's. This institu- 
tion is, therefore, now put on the same footing with others of a similar na- 
ture. There is also an Academy for the education of boys at Windsor. 

Free Church College, Halifax, with which an Academy is connected, is 
under the control of the Presbyterian Free Church, and according to a re- 
port of a Committee of the House of Assembly, in 1854, gave education 
to 54 pupils, who are " taught Greek, Latin, French, and natural philoso- 
phy, with all the other branches usually included in a sound English educa- 
tion." It receives an annual grant of £250. 

Dalhousie College, belonging to the Presbyterians, and formerly presided 
over by Dr. McColioch, is also situate at Halifax. 

The other educational institutions at the capital are an Academy for young 
ladies, and the Halifax Infant School, which receives £50 per annum, and 
derives the remainder of its support from private fees. It affords rudimen- 
tal education to an average of 80 pupils, whose parents are unable to pay 
for their attendance elsewhere. There are besides numerous other schools 
of a high order in addition to the usual common schools. 

Acadia College, Baptist, is established in King's County, and has a Col- 
legiate Academy attached to it. It is in an efficient state, and receives 
£250 annually, from the Province. The average number of pupils for 1854 
was 65 — the extreme number was 130. 

St. Mary's College, a Roman Catholic Institution, receives a similar sum 
from the same source. 

Gorham College is erected at Liverpool in the County of Queens, and is 
under the patronage of the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia. 

Pictou Academy, established in 1819, receives £250 from the Provincial 
revenue. In 1854, it gave instruction to 84 pupils, of whom 45 attended 
the higher classes. Of the whole number, 57 belonged to the Presbyterian 
Church, and 27 to other denominations. 

In several of these Institutions, an excellent education, for any of the 
learned professions, can be obtained on very cheap terms. 

Antigonish Seminary, Roman Catholic, is established in Cape Breton. 
Classics and mathematics are taught in it. 

A Normal School is now forming at Truro, in the centre of the Province, 
to which place the Superintendant of Education has removed. 

It will thus bo seen that, besides the common or district schools, and in 
addition to numerous private establishments of this nature, throughout No- 



319 

va Scotia and Cape Breton, there are several Colleges and Academies, as 
well as other superior schools ; and that the principal part of them is large- 
ly endowed by the Legislature, If therefore, the inhabitants of this flou- 
rishing Colony do not compete with those of other countries in respect to 
a sound and useful education, it must be entirely their own fault. The at- 
tention of the Legislature has been recently more fully directed to this sub- 
ject, and every endeavour has been used to improve the system, as well as to 
afford the utmost encouragement to general education. 

Literature. 

This Province is in advance of many and much older countries in the 
character and ability of its literaiy productions. Every year adds new and 
more varied works to its stocks, and the facilities of obtaining books from 
other countries are continually increasing. One thing, however, should be 
guarded against, both in this and the adjacent Colonies, as injurious, more 
especially to the rising generation ; we allude to the circulation of novels 
and other light trash of literature, which is now becoming so common. The 
principal part of these works impart no useful knowledge, but on the con- 
trary, do much to corrupt the morals and retard the intellectual advancement 
of the people. 

The newspapers and other periodicals published in the Province are : 



The Morning Chronicle. 
Religious papers. 
The Presbyterian Witness, 
► Halifax { li Wesley an, 

{ { Christian Messenger, (Bap- 
tist,) 
" Church Times, 
" Halifax Catholic. 



The Royal Gazette, 

" Nova Scotian, 

" Acadian Recorder, 

" Atheneum, 

" 6un, (daily) 

" Colonist, 

11 British North American, 

" Morning Journal, 
The Eastern Chronicle, Pictou, 

" Yarmouth Herald, Yarmouth, 

" Tribune, " 

" Liverpool Transcript, Liverpool, 

" The Cape Breton News, Sydney, C. B. 

The Ecclesiastical and Missionary Record of the Free Church of Nova 
Scotia, printed monthly ; and the Missionary Register of the Presbyterian 
Church of Nova Scotia, also issued monthly. 

Note. — Several of the above papers appear tri- weekly, one daily, and 
almost all are published weekly, or have a weekly edition. 

Religious Denominations. 

According to the Census, the various religious denominations of Nova 
Scotia numbered their adherents as follows : — 

Church of England. — This church has has a Bishop, who exercises 
control over the clergy belonging to this Province, and also to Prince Edward 
Island. 

1851. 1827. Increase. 

Ministers, 88 

Adherents, 36,482 28,659 7,723 

Presbyterian Church, — 
Kirk of Scotland, 18,867 



320 

Presbyterian Church of No- ) OQfr ^ 

va Scotia, \ ^' Tb7 

Free Church, 25,280 



Total Presbyterians, 72,914 37,225 35,689 

In 1851, there were 50 ministers belonging to the various bodies com- 
posing this Church. 

1851. 

24 



Methodists^ — 

Ministers, 

Adherents, 

Baptists ) — 

Ministers, 

Adherents, 

Independents, — 

Ministers, 

Adherents, 

Lutherans, — 

Adherents, 

Other denominations 



25,596 

49 
42,243 

6 
2,639 

4.087 
4,080 



1827. 
9.408 



19,790 



Increase. 

14,188 



22,452 



Total 10,806 8,365 2 ; 441 

The Roman Catholic Church has an Arch-Bishop, a Bishop, and 33 
clergymen. 

1851. 1827. Increase. 

Adherents, 69,634 20,401 49,233 

Note. — The census of 1837 does not distinguish the religious profession 
of the people of Nova Scotia. 

The number of places of worship, belonging to all these denominations in 
1851, was 567. 

With reference to the geographical distribution of the Christen denomin- 
ations, the Church of England is generally scattered over the Province. 

The Baptists are most numerous in the counties of King's, Digby, and 
Annapolis ; the Presbyterians in Pictou, Colchester, Cumberland, Halifax, 
and Hants, and in the Island of Cape Breton ; the Methodists in Cumber- 
land, Colchester, and the western counties ; and the Boman Catholics abound 
in Cape Breton and the county of Halifax, but there are, also, several large 
groups of this denomination in other sections of the Province. 

It may indeed be observed that it would be difficult to find a settlement in 
which there are not some persons adhering to each of these forms of worship, 
and all of whom generally live together in perfect peace and amity. 



HALIFAX CITY AND COUNTY. 

This county is bounded on the north by Hants, Colchester, and Pictou ; 
on the east by Guysborough ; on the west by Lunenburg ; and on the south 
by a front of one hundred miles on the Atlantic Ocean. 

This extensive line of coast is indented by numerous bays, harbors and 
rivers, and diversified by many islands. The principal harbors are Beaver, 
Sheet, Spry, Ship, Jeddore, Musquodoboit, Cole, Halifax, and Margaret's. 
Several of them, with others of less note, offer preat facilities for the prose- 
cution of the fisheries, ship-building, and other branches of commerce. No 
harbor, however, in the Province stands forth more prominent than that of 



321 

Halifax, or, as it was known in the early settlement of the country, " Che- 
bucto " Its latitude is 44 ° 40' north, longitude 63 ° 38' west ; rise and 
fall of tide, 6 J to 9 feet, and the magnetic variation, 15 ° 8' west. This 
harbor has not, it is alleged, its superior in America. It is situate nearly 
in the centre of the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, and is free from ice at 
all seasons of the year. It extends inwards for about fifteen miles ; at its head 
is a beautiful basin, called Bedford Basin, which is so encompassed with high- 
lands that its waters are always placid, during every variation of the wind ; 
and the depth of water is such, that a nation's navy could ride in it in good 
anchorage and perfect safety. The entrance of the harbor, having Mc- 
Nutt's Island in the centre, is deep and spacious : every shoal and headland 
is well marked out and guarded by lights, buoys and beacons, — so that its 
ingress and egress is perfectly safe at all hours of the night. 

The harbor of Halifax possesses many most important advantages. Its 
proximity to Europe, and the conspicuous situation it occupies on the. map, 
with regard to that continent, North America, and the West Indies ; the 
almost complete water communication between it and the Bay of Fundy, by 
way of the Shubenacadie, now being improved, and the railroad i,n rapid 
progress, as well as its extensive postal and telegraphic communications with 
all parts of British America and the States, will always render it the first 
place of call, and a most important station, for the British mail ships ; and 
as a military and naval depot and arsenal, it may be considered the key of 
North America and the Northern Atlantic. 

The city of Halifax was settled in 1T48 by a number of English, Irish 
and German emigrants. In 1790 it contained 700 houses and 4,000 in- 
habitants ; in 1817, it was declared a free port ; in 1827, it contained 1,580 
houses and 14,439 persons. It was incorporated in 1841, and is now light- 
ed with gas ; its present population will number upwards of 26,000. This 
city, the metropolis of the Province, is situate on the west side of its har- 
bor, and on the declivity of a hill ; it extends upwards of two miles along 
the shore, and about three quarters of a mile in width from the water's edge. 
The streets, except a few of those in front, which retain the characteristics 
of the earlier locations of the country, are well laid out, of good width, and 
at right angles to each other. The margin of the water is lined with 
wharves, si ps, and other commercial facilities. 

Fort George stands on a peculiar eminence near the centre of the city, 
which, as well as the harbor, it overlooks in every direction. It has a very 
commanding aspect, and, with a sufficient garrison, would be difficult to re- 
duce ; indeed, this fort, with the batteries that have been constructed for 
the defence of the excellent harbor, and the extensive barracks for the ac- 
commodation of troops, may well enable the city to resist any attack from 
the most powerful enemy. 

Among the public buildings of the city, the Province Building ranks 
first ; it contains, beside the legislative halls and committee rooms, the offices 
of all the heads of departments, and the usual accommodation for the Su- 
preme Court. The Lieutenant Governor's residence is pleasantly situate. 
The city also contains a post office telegraph and railway offices, Dalhousie 
College, Free Church College and Academy, Mechanics' Institute, Museum, 
several grammar schools and other literary institutions, a Temperance Hall, 
many churches and chapels of all religious denominations, and other public 
edifices. All the private buildings of late date are well built, and display 
considerable taste in their architecture ; and the city, on the whole, pre- 

43 



322 

sents a fine and imposing appearance, especially to those coming up the 
harbor. 

For municipal purposes, the city is divided into six wards, each of 'which 
annually elects three aldermen, who, along with the Mayor, also chosen by 
the inhabitants, the Recorder, and other officers of the Corporation, have in 
charge all matters relating to the civic local government. The Mayor's 
Court sits on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. 

In addition to the public establishments already enumerated, there is a 
fire department, and two companies of firemen : Saint George's Society, 
Charitable Irish Society, the North British Society, Highland Society, 
Wesleyan Female Benevolent Society, Female Orphan Asylum, Carpenters 
Charitable Society, Dispensary, Literary Mechanics' Library, Halifax Libra- 
ry, Barrister's Society, Athenaeum Reading Room, and a Merchant's Read- 
ing Room. There are also fire and life assurances and agencies of various 
kinds,* four Banks, one a " Savings' Bank," and five Joint Stock Compa- 
nies, besides horticultural, agricultural and medical societies. 

Dartmouth, on the opposite side of the harbor, is a small but growing 
town, connected with Halifax city, a part of which it now forms, by a steam 
ferry, which is continually passing and repassing across the harbor, between 
the hours of six in the morning and ten at night ; affording a ready commu- 
nication to the public at a moderate expence. This town is fast building up, 
and bids fair at no distant day to claim for itself separate corporate powers. 
It is the natural terminus for the railway now in progress, and though the 
line is at present being carried more to the westward, yet it is probable that 
ultimately a branch will be constructed connecting this side of the harbor 
with the main line. 

Railway. — The excellent character and central position of Halifax har- 
bor, together with its easy access to Europe, render it decidedly the best and 
most advantageous Atlantic terminus for the great railway and its branches, 
as originally contemplated, and of which some portions are now in course of 
construction, from this city to Windsor and Pictou, and to the New Bruns- 
wick boundary, to be hereafter connected through that Province, with the 
railways of the United States and Canada. The line commences about a 
mile to the northward of the city, and follows the windings of the shore of 
the basin. The general character of the ground is slaty rock, and in many 
places it runs precepitately to the margin of the water. Hence in some 
places the line has to be built across arms of the basin ; while in others con- 
siderable cuttings are necessary in order to obtain curves of sufficient radius 
to secure both speed and safety. From the peculiarities of the ground, a 
short portion,'passing Birch-Cove, cannot, without much additional outlay, 
be adapted for obtaining great speed, though it has the advantage of an easy 
grade ; however, as this difficulty occurs near a depot, it is not of so much 
importance as it would have been at a greater distance from a slopping place. 

This line of railway, as far as engineering difficulties are concerned, will 
be good, except the portion crossing the Cobequid Mountains. The shortest 
line would be by the valley of the Folly river and lake ; but this is difficult 
and the gradients somewhat steep ; another line surveyed is through a gorge 
on the Pictou side of the hills, longer in point of distance, but more level, 
and by this divergence something will be gained by shortening the branch 
to Pictou, a section which promises to be the most paying in ibe Province. 

When these railways are completed, the city of Halifax will become the 
Atlantic terminus for a vast extent of internal communication, and on the 



323 

other hand, its geographical position will ensure for it the regular and fre- 
quent visits of most of the European steamers ; thus, as far as regards pas- 
senger traffic, at all events, it can hardly fail to be one of the first cities of 
this continent. Its internal trade, under the Reciprocity Treaty especially, 
will be almost indefinitely increased by the connection with the Bay of Fun- 
dy, and with the Pictou coal mines, the produce of which will then be ex- 
ported to the States and other markets at a! 1 seasons of the year. 

A canal is now in course of construction, from the arm of the Bay of 
Funcly formed by the Minas basin, by way of the Shebenacadie river, and 
the chain of jskes at its head, to Dartmouth. This water communication is 
almost complete, and it afforded the Indians and early settlers a ready access 
to Truro, Windsor, and other neighboring localities. In 1826, a company 
was formed at Halifax for the opening a canal in this direction ; but, after 
spending £80,000, the plan was abandoned; and, strange to say, after a 
lapse of nearly 30 years, now that a railway is being built, which for a great 
part of the distance, will run parallel with and in the vicinity of the canal, 
a new efibrt is being made to complete it. From the very able report of 
O. W. Fairbanks, Esq., C. E., in 1850, it appears not only that the work 
can easily be accomplished, but that it will well repay the interest on the 
capital necessary for its completion. One thing, however, 'is certain, that 
whether it will pay the undertakers or not it will, when finished, and for 
about seven months in the year, be of vast local rdvantage to those settled 
along its borders, by increasing the facilities of transport, that it will open 
up other lands for settlement, and otherwise bring into action the dormant 
resources of the country along its track, besides adding much to the trade 
and prosperity of the city of Halifax. 

The civil divisions of this county are Halifax, Dartmouth, Lawrencetown, 
and Preston. The population in 1838, was 28,570 ; and in 1851, it amount- 
ed to 39,112 ; it is now probably about 45,000. 

The interior of the county is well watered by numerous streams and lakes, 
the principal of which are Mosure and Middle rivers, with the east branch 
of the latter; Ship Harbor lake, an extensive sheet of water; Musquodo- 
boit river and Salmon river with its tributories ; the two latter have their 
sources interlocking with the Shubenacadie, which falls into Cobequid bay. 
These, with numerous other small streams fall into the Atlantic to the east- 
ward of Halifax. The principal of those to the westward are Nine Mile 
and North East rivers ; the latter takes its rise in Pockwak lakes. 

The county of Halifax is not by any means a good agricultural district ; 
the land is generally hilly and broken, and much of it is barren, especially 
near the capital, a circumstance which coupled with the fact of the post road 
to New Brunswick, running through much poor land, has no doubt tended 
to detract from the real merits of the Province. On this subject, however, 
we must caution the stranger against hasty conclusions. Let him traverse 
the margins of the various branches of the Bay of Fundy ; let him visit 
the western counties ; and then turn to the shores of the Gulf of St. Law- 
rence, and the Northumberland Straits ; and if he should have entertained 
ideas inimical to the Province, they will soon be dissipated by a view of the 
rich marshes, the fertile uplands, and the valuable minerals, to say nothing 
of the coasts and river fisheries, hardly to be parallelled in the world. 

Notwithstanding some rocky tracts, however, Halifax possesses numerous 
localities that would well repay the industrious and persevering settler, be- 
ftidtl Kttuebi Valuable Hand, wad man^ good settlements skirting the margins 



324 

of its numerous streams, more especially on the Musquodoboit and Sackville 
rivers In 1851 there were 2,099 persons engaged in agriculture, and 23,- 
866 acres of improved land. 

Education. — The number of schools in 1851, was 115 

And of pupils. 4,497 

In 1852, schools, 63 

pupils, 3,596 

Trade. — The imports of Halifax consist principally of West India and 
European goods, and the exports are the produce of the fisheries so exten- 
sively carried on from that harbor, and the others, so numerous along the 
sea board. 
Total value of imports in 1850, £1,020,100 

" " exports " 415 904 

" " imports in 1853, 1,064 556 

" exports " 606,718 

Shewing an increase in the last year of .£44.456 in the imports and 
£190.8 '4 in the exports over those of 1850- 

Nearly one half of the value of the imports is from Great Britain, and 
one fourth from 'the United States ; the remainder is nearly equally divided 
between British North America, the West Indies, and other countries. 
Of the articles exported, nearly one half is to British North America, one 
fifth to the West Indies, a little above one-sixth to the United States, one- 
tenth to other foreign countries, and the remainder, a little above a fourteenth 
to Great Britain. 

The quantities offish exported from Halifax in 1851, were : — Dried fish, 
191,802 quintals; mackarel, 96.650 barrels; herrings, 43,559 barrels; 
alewives, 4.227 barrels; salmon. 340 tierces, and 6.412 barrels; oil, 3,493 
casks ; preserved and pickled fish. 3.472 boxes ; codfish, 78 barrels. 

There were, in 1853. 149 vessels, of the aggregate toDnage of 5,816 
tons, having on board 1,240 men, employed by the port of Halifax in the 
prosecution of the fisheries. 

Ships inward and outward in 1850 : 

Sailing vessels. Steam vessels. 

Total— 1,081 vessels, 111,204 tons. 113 vessels, 65,400 tons. 

Inwards. 
952 " 84,218 " 110 vessels, 76,861 tons. 

The number in 1851, outward, including both sailing and steam vessels, 
was 1.164 vessels, of the tonnage of 176,802 tons. 

The value of the goods brought by these vessels was £1,073,854 cur- 
rency. 

Ship building is not very extensively carried on along the coasts of this 
county. 

In 1853, the duties collected at this port amounted to £80.000 cy. 

In 1854, to nearly 100.000 ' : 

Shewing an increase of £20.000, which of itself is a sufficient proof of 
the increasing prosperity of this Province. 

The effect of the reciprocity treaty with the United States will probably 
cause a small diminution in the amount of duties to be collected ; but this 
will, no doubt, be made up, without additional taxation, by the fresh stimu- 
lus it will impart to various branches of £rada. 



325 

COUNTY OF LUNENBURG. 

This county is bounded on the north-east by Halifax and Hants ; on the 
south-west by Queen's ; and on the south-east by the Atlantic. 

The face of the country is generally undulating, though in many places 
broken into hills and vallies. Its sea board is very much indented by nu- 
merous bays running in from the Atlantic 

Margaret's Bay is a large estuary studded with small islands ; it divides 
the county from Halifax, on their Atlantic frontier. Ma-hone Bay is a beau- 
tiful sheet of water, separated from the former by a promontory, on which 
is Aspatogan Mountain, about 500 feet high, and a well known beacon to 
mariners This bay is a beautiful recess of the sea, well protected by Tam- 
cook and other islands ; the principal rivers falling into it are Middle, Gold 
and Mussamish rivers, all of which take their rise in lakes. 

Lanenburg harbor is separated from Mahone Bay by a narrow peninsular 
strip of land, almost insulated. This harbor is accessible to ships of the 
largest class. The town of Lunenburg is situate on an elevated plot of 
ground on the east side of the harbor. This section of the county is said 
to have been settled ns early as 1751, principally by Germans and Swiss, 
who erected fortifications, the remnants of which are still visible, for their 
defence against the Indians. 

LaHave Bay lies about seven miles west of Lunenburg ; it is a good har- 
bor, and its entrance is studded with islands, which afford protection to the 
shipping. This is the locality in which La Tour obtained his grant, and 
built a fort at the entrance of the bay. The LaHave river, falling into the 
bay. has several tributaries, which have their sources in a number of lakes 
interlocking with streams flowing into the Bay of Fundy, and its Mi- 
nas arm. This river has about 20 feet water at its mouth, and is navi- 
gable for about 14 miles. At the distance of 18 miles, there is a fall of 
about twenty feet, and six miles further up is another, somewhat smaller. 
Salmon were formerly abundant in this beautiful stream, but they are now 
prevented from entering its waters by mill-dams and saw- dust. Port Med- 
way is an excellent ship harbor, situate at the most southerly angle of the 
county. 

The whole interior of the county is well watered by streams, some of them 
navigable, and all affording facilities for the erection of water-power ma- 
chinery. Roads run along its Atlantic coasts, and through its principal 
settlements the leading lines of which concentrate at Lunenburg, Chester, 
and the other most populous towns and villages, most of which are located 
at the harbors' mouths. 

The principal towns are Lunenburg, the shire- town. Chester, which stands 
on Mahone Bay, and New Dublin, which is situate at LaHave harbor. 

This county is well adapted for farming, and contains a great extent of 
good land. On the LaHave river, near the Ohio settlement, there is a large 
tract of meadow land, consisting of several hundred acres. There are also 
considerable tracts, having the same character of soil, skirting the borders 
of many of its inland waters, all of which are famed for their hay produc- 
ing qualities. From the report of W. Thompson, Esq., Deputy Surveyor, 
made to the Government in 1853, it appears that there were 277,600 acres 
of vacant land in the county, most of which was well calculated for lum- 
bering, and a large per centage of it was highly adapted to agricultural pur- 
suits. 116,400 acres of this land lie to the weafc of LaHave river, and 



326 

about 70,000 acres between the head of Gold river and Halifax county. 
There are upwards of 80.000 acres in detached places between the two 
blocks above described, the character of which is not known. However, 
there is no doubt but several hundred families could be locaced on good land 
within the precincts of the county. 

The population of Lunenburg, in 182 f, was 9,405; in 1838, 12,058; 
and in 1851, it was 16,395. The cleared land, in 18S1, was 29.396 acres; 
there were 3,018 farmers, and 1.155 fishermen. In 1852, the county con- 
tained 42 schools, attended by an average of 1,409 pupils. 

Imports aad Exports at the following ports : 

1852. 1852. 
LaHave, ,£865 ) £3,370 ) 
Lunenburg, 1,265 > Imports, 742 \ Exports. 
Port Medway, 257 ) 3,356 ) 

1853. 1853. 
LaHave, £2,958 ) £5,829 ) 
Lunenburg, 3,220 > Imports. 2,979 V Exports. 
Port Medway, 1,813 ) 9,872 ) 

£7,991 £18,680 

This county owns 187 vessels, of the aggregate tonnagu of 7,030 tons, 

valued at £51,908. 

In 1854, there were 85 vessels, of 3.500 tons, engaged in the fisheries ; 

their produce in that year was set down at £62,500. 

QUEEN'S COUNTY. 

The county of Queen's is bounded on the north-west by Annapolis ; on 
the south-west by Shelburne ; on the south-east by the Atlantic ; and on 
the north-east by the county of Lunenburg. 

The Port Medway river, having an excellent harbor at its mouth, takes 
its rise in a series of lakes, and affords vast facilities for transporting the 
productions of the forest to the sea coast. 

Liverpool is an excellent ship harbor, with good anchorage, open at all 
seasons of the year. Coffin's Island, on which there is a light house, is 
situate at the easterly entrance to this harbor. Liverpool river is one of the 
most extensive in Nova Scotia ; it has its source within a short distance of 
the Bay of Fundy, with the tributories of which it interlocks. It runs 
through a chain of lakes, the largest of which is Lake Rossignol. about 
eighteen miles long, by about four in breadth. This river, though not na- 
vigable for vessels, is well calculated for the conveyance of lumber to the 
port. Extensive mill machinery have been erected on it, and there are sev- 
eral beautiful falls on the main river and its branches. This water commu- 
nication afforded the aborigines, in early times, a short path to Annapolis 
Basin, with whose waters it is almost connected. Ports Mouton and Jolli 
are the only remaining harbors of any note ; they are broad shallow bays. 
At the head of the former, Broad river enters it, but has a short course. 

The north-western section of this county is completely variegated by land 
and water ; the frontier is generally poor and rocky, and not favorable to 
agricultural pursuits ; in fact, from what is known of its interior. Queen's 
nana hardly be called an agricultural county k Almost nil the choice landt 



327 

are granted, though there are many isolated spots which will well repay the 
hands thai may till them. 

The townships of this county are Liverpool, the shire-town, and Guys- 
borough. The town of Liverpool, which was founded in 1760, is built on 
a rocky site, about 80 miles west of Halifax. It presents the appearance 
of taste, though not so much of business. The road passing along the At- 
lantic coast of the Province traverses the sea board of this county, and there 
is a leading road from Liverpool running northward to the Bay of Fundy ; 
there are also several bye-roads diverging from the main roaas to the new 
settlements in the interior. 

The population, in 1838, was 5,798 ; and in 1851, 7,256. At the lat- 
ter period, it had 13,950 acres of land cleared, 400 farmers, 310 fishermen, 
and 280 lumbermen. 

In 1851, there were 30 schools, attended by 887 pupils. 

" 1852, " 32 " " 904 " 

In 1854, the county owned about 7,000 tons of shipping. 

Imports. Exports. 

1852— Liverpool, £13,132 £36.061 

1854— " 15,961 36,000 

SHELBURNE. 

This triangular county is bounded on the northeast by Queen's ; on the 
southwest by Yarmouth ; and on the southeast by the Atlantic. The whole 
frontier is a succession of harbors. Jordan river, which empties itself into 
Green Harbor, takes its rise in Davies lake, and is navigable for about ten 
miles ; the harbor is flat. Shelburne harbor is one of the best on the coast 
of the Province; it has an island, McNutt's, at its mouth, on which a light 
house is placed. The main entrance, which is on the east side of the har- 
bor, has sufficient water for the admission of large class vessels. Roseway 
river has its source near the most northerly angle of the county, and near 
the western sources of the Liverpool river ; this stream, though not large, 
is sufficient for the transmission of lumber, and for the erection of mills. 
The principal river on the westward is the Clyde, a stream of some note as 
a conveyance for the productions of the forest. The next harbor of impor- 
tance is Barrington, into which falls a small stream fed by lakes ; this is a 
fine bay, and affords good shelter and anchorage for large class vessels. 

The county is divided into two townships, namely, Shelburne, the county 
town, situate at the head of the bay of the same name, and Barrington, 
which comprizes the southern part of the county. 

The whole Atlantic coast of the Province is poor and in many places 
rocky ; and this county shares the general character. The principal settle- 
ments are on the banks of the streams ; that on the Clyde is thriving. The 
county contains about 200,000 acres of ungranted land, most of which is 
only fit for lumbering, though there are some intervening spots adapted for 
farming ; but lumbering, shipbuilding and fLhing have been the principal 
employments of its inhabitants. 

Shelburne was settled by a number of emigrants from New York in 1783, 
but from its unfitness for agricultural pursuits, it was subsequently almost 
abandoned ; recently however, new life and vigor has been infused into the 
place, and it is now rapidly progressing. The principal road is that along 
the seaboard, from which bye-roads diverge towards the interior. The pop- 



328 

ulation in 1838, was 6,831, and in 1851, 10,622; the county contained in 

1851, 1,151 agriculturists, 406 fishermen, 210 registered seamen, and 553 

persons employed at sea. 

The number of schools in 1851, was 49, attended by 937 pupils. 

Imports in 1852. Exports in 1852. 

Shelburne, £747 £2.332 

Barrington, 3,696 9,977 

In 1853. 
Shelburne £1.955 £11,050 

Barrington, 4,813 2,263 

COUNTY OF YARMOUTH. 

This county, similar in shape to that of Shelburne, is bounded on the 
east by that county ; on the north by Digby ; and on the southwest by the 
Atlantic. 

Its coast, like that of the county just described, is studded with a great 
number of small islands and many harbors, which afford shelter and protec- 
tion to shipping. The principal of the latter are Pubnico, Abuptic, Tusket, 
Jebogue, Yarmouth and Jegogin ; all of which admit vessels of various sizes 
and even large ships find safe anchorage behind many of the islands ; but 
the harbor of the greatest note is that of Yarmouth, which is capacious, and 
well protected from storms. It admits large class vessels as far as the town, 
and those of light tonnage can ascend still higher. There are a great num- 
ber of small streams traversing the interior of the county, and having their 
sources in lakes, which vary in extent from one to eight miles. The prin- 
cipal river is the Tusket, which takes its rise in the county of Digby, passes 
over several falls, and receives, in its passage to the sea, the tributory waters 
of many lakes and smaller streams, communicating with others ; thus the 
whole district is variegated by extensive and valuable sheets of water, afford- 
ing most eligible localities for the lumberer and mill man. 

The surface of the county is much diversified by slight elevations, as well 
as by the lakes and streams ; the latter, near their mouths, are skirted by 
low marshes of second rate quality ; about 2000 acres of which have been 
dyked and produce large burthens of hay, which is eagerly sought after by 
neat cattle. 

The principal part of the land fit for settlement is granted, and the larger 
portion of that still vacant is only fit for lumbering. From the report of 
Zaccheus Church, Esq., the principal Deputy Surveyor of the county, made 
to the government in 1854, it is evident that kt a very small proportion of 
it is capable of profitable cultivation, and that is in small tracts. There is 
some timber land, mostly in ridges, so called, among the barren land, and 
some capable only for fence poles and fire- wood, that I include," says Mr. 
Church, " with the timber land, but far the greatest proportion of the land 
is barrens, and land which has lately been burnt and the timber destroyed." 
Still on the sea board and skirting the rivers there are some fine settlements. 
The chief employments of the inhabitants are fishing, ship building, and 
lumbering, mixed with a little farming. 

The county is sub -divided into the townships of Yarmouth and Argyle ; 
the former is the shiretown, and is beautifully situate, having one principal 
street, stretching for about two miles along the east side of the harbor. It 
ranks among the second places in Nova Scotia, competing in the march of 



329 

improvement with the town of Pictou. Roads extend along the seaboard, 
and diverge from thence towards the interior, wherever settlements are 
forming. There are several nourishing villages at the mouths of the rivers, 
where trnde is pursued with much spirit. Yarmouth owns a large amount 
of shipping ; its population in 1838 was 9,189, and in 1851 it amounted to 
13 142 ; in the latter year there were 30,575 acres of cleared land, 8.386 
head of' neat cattle, 12,449 sheep, and 1,694 swine ; the other agricultural 
products were 15 449 bushels of various kinds of grain, 11,599 tons of hay, 
94,,T17 bushels of potatoes, 200,869 pounds of butter, and 92,530 pounds 
of \cheese, the farmers numbered 1,151, fishermen 406, and seamen 763. 
In. 1852 there were 28 schools attended by about 1000 pupils. 

1852. Imports. Exports. 

Pubnico, £1,357 £L879 

Tusket, 2,761 3.737 

Yarmouth, 33,647 20,775 

1854. Imports. Exports. 

Pubnico, £1,957 £2,651 

'Tusket, 2,333 2,820 

Yarmouth, 54,051 18,309 

The first settlers of Yarmouth were Acadian French, most of whom were 
• exported in 1755, the descendants of some of those who returned still oc- 
cupy a part of the country. Some of the early settlers were refugees from 
New England. 

•COUNTY OF DIGBY. 

The county of Digby is bounded southerly by Yarmouth ; north easterly 
by Annapolis, and northerly and westerly by the Bay of Fundy and the 
Atlantic. The Bay of Fundy is fringed by a narrow strip of land, which 
extends from the head of St. Mary's Bay, in a south-west direction, known 
by the several names of Digby Neck, Long and Brier Islands ; the two 
latter are separated from the neck by two passages, distinguished as Grand 
and Petit Passages, through which the tides of the Bay of Fundy run with 
great rapidity. 

The deep and spacious Bay of St. Mary's, and Sissiboo harbor, on its 
southern coast, are the principal harbors of this county. 

Digby contained in 1851, 17,242 acres of cleared land : and in 1854, 
224,000 still claimed by the Crown, t% a great portion of which," according 
to the report of Alpheus Jones, Esq., principal deputy surveyor, " is of a 
very inferior quality ; there is some very good land on the reserved road, 
near the eastern line of the county, also a large tract on Carlton and Kempt 
rivers ;" there are numerous other isolated spots referred to in this report, 
as well suited for agricultural pursuits, but the best of the land is granted. 
Two roads run nearly parallel to the southern shore of St. Mary's Bay, one 
along the seaboard, and the other a short distance to the eastward ; there 
are also cross 'roads extending from the frontier towards the interior ; and 
another, stretching through Digby Neck and the islands on the south west ; 
the latter road is interrupted by the passages or straits before mentioned. 

The agricultural productions of this county, in 1851, were, on the whole, 
Cully equal in quantity to those of Yarmouth. In that year there were 57 
schools attended by 1,323 pupils. 

The only rivers in this county are Salmon river, Montenquin river, Sissi- 
boo river, and Smelt river, all oi them inconsiderable streams. 

44 



330 

The county is divided into the townships of Digby and Clare ; the first 
comprehending the northern, and the latter the southern sections. The shore 
of Digby is studded with villages and settlements, and much of the front 
land is very fertile. At the head of St. Mary's Bay there arc extensive 
tracts of marsh land. A large portion of the inhabitants arc descendants 
of the Acadian French, who, together with the others, own about 100 ves- 
sels engaged in the fisheries, and in trading to the States. 

The town of Digby is the shiretown, and is about 145 miles from Halifax ; 
it is situated on an elevated spot at the south west of Annapolis basin, which 
affords its trade an outlet to the Bay of Fundy ; the scenery around is beau- 
tiful and varied. A steamer has recently been established from this place 
to Boston. 

1852. Imports. Exports, 

Digby, £14,955 £13,438 

Westport, on Briar Island, 6,114 7,215 

Weymouth, 8,664 20,850 

1854. 

Digby, £17,384 £10,867 

Westport, Briar Island, 4,317 10,062 

Weymouth, 5,874 10,841 

There were exported in 1853, from the ports of Digby and Weymouth. 
757 bushels of apples and other fruit. 

ANNAPOLIS COUNTY 

Annapolis is bounded on the north east by King's ; on the south-east by 
Lunenburg and Queen's ; on the south-west by Digby ; and on the n« 
west by the Bay of Fundy, 

The whole sea board of this county is composed of a continuous ri 1 
high land, and therefore, it is void of harbors ; with the exception of A: 
polis Gut and Basin. That arm of the sea is a beautiful estuary, which, 
with the river of the same name stretching into the county of Kings, is na- 
vigable for upwards of thirty miles ; it has numerous tributurics. flowing 
from the southward of the main river: the whole affords a valuable outlet 
for the produce of the fisheries and the other articles of export. Some of 
the lakes and streams emptying into the Annapolis basin, inteilock with 
thos^ of the Liverpool river, so as almost to isolate the western part of the 
Province. 

The surface of this county is greatly diversified : while the sea-board is 
somewhat mountainous, and the southern portion rocky and hilly, the valley 
of the Annapolis and its tributories is very fertile, and highly calculated for 
agriculture, and for the production of fruit. 

We find, from the report of Alexander Campbell. Esq.. principal deputy 
surveyor of the county, that it contains 380,000 acres of crown land, which he 
classifies as follows : — Lands capable of profitable cultivation, 120.000 acr< 
lands covered with timber, but unsuitable for tillage in the present circum- 
stances of the country, 140,000 acres ; lands generally designated banc 
120,000 acres." 

The principal part of the arable land lies in the southern and eastern sec- 
tions, and additional roads are required to render it available for settlement. 
There are also several hundred acre? of valuable meadow land skirting the 
streams to the southward. If r ned throng ffip ' 



331 

of good land reported by Mr. Campbell, not less than 800 additional fami- 
lies could be located. With regard to much of the land in this Province 
which the prevailing opinion has condemned as unfit for tillage, we are 
greatly inclined to indorse the opinion expressed by this able report, in which 
the writer says that " profitable cultivation does not depend altogether upon 
the good quality of the soil, and its capability of cheap tillage, but, in a great 
measure ; on the relative position of the lands, as regards good roads and fa- 
cilities of communication with the market. 5 ; Roads are alone wanted to 
open accesses of the forests to settlement, and to facilitate the transpor- 
tation of its valuable timber. The leading roads of the county are those 
running along each side of the valley of the Annapolis, from Annapolis, 
across the country, to Liverpool ; from the same place to Chester, and also 
from Wilmot to Liverpool. 

The Annapolis valley is studded with good farm houses and orchards, and 
is a fine agricultural district. In 1851, the county contained 2,793 acres 
of dyked marsh, of the best quality, and 44,512 acres of other improved 
lands ; 1,514 horses, 177,04 head of cattle, 17,526 sheep, and 2,852 swine. 
It gave employment to nearly 2,000 farmers, 202 fishermen, and nearly 400 
seamen, &c. In the same year its agricultural produce was as follows : 
11,081 bushels of wheat; 17,048 of barley; 17,035 of rye; 42,955 of 
oats ; 13,984 of buckwheat ; 11,779 of Indian corn ; 23,985 tons of hay; 
146,899 bushels of potatoes ; 73,470 of turnips ; 186,717 pounds of but- 
ter, and 171,961 pounds of cheese ; besides many other minor articles. In 
1853, there were shipped from Annapolis, Clementsport and Wilmot, 28,- 
646 bushels of apples and plums, of the value of £5,143. 

1852. Imports, Exports. 

Annapolis, £14,488 £20,360 
Clementsport, 1,633 1,875 

Wilmot, 6,617 5,477 



1853. 






Annapolis, 


£12,348 


£19,854 


Clementsport, 


2,310 


2,811 


Wilmot, 


12,777 


19,496 



Totals for 1853, £26,435 £42,161 

These figures shew the trade of the ports named to be greatly on the ad- 
vance ; and the excess of exports over imports prove a still more satisfac- 
tory progress, being £15,726. 

This county, in 1852, possessed 62 schools, attended by nearly 2,000 
pupils ; its population, in 1838, was 11,989, and in 1851, 14,285 souls. 

The town of Annapolis, the head quarters of the county, and the Port 
Royal of the French, was founded by the latter in 1605. Although it is 
now 250 years since the first aettlement, 122 years since the English be- 
came masters of it, and 100 since the Acadians were expelled, still it has 
not made so rapid a progress as might be expected from the long period that 
has elapsed, and from the elements of wealth it contains. After the remo- 
val of the French neutrals, this part of the county was settled by emigrants 
from the States, disbanded soldiers and loyalists. The old French fort is 
still in existence, but silence is now spread over its dilapidated battlements, 
and the field, once the soene of war and bloodshed, is now cultivated, and is 



332 



applied to its legitimate pnrpose-^that of producing food for man and 
TW ^ townsm 'P 3 L °f *e f/ounty are Granville, Wilmot and Clements. 

^L a dLoX7ctur r ,Vlr ' gV!,lag€S SP ^ ° Ver * m * A T l f k Val ' e £ 
f^ Q :.^ • Vvi 4 ue appearance of the surrounding landscape. If 
tne iron mines or Mo • v n x *l p .•< * i- \ 

extensivel w k Y e river ^ a S triDutor y of tne Annapolis) were 
the co t ^ y. ., the valuable lands rendered available for settlement by 

extensive[ UC -° P " °^ roa< ^ s ' ^ e f ar -& me( l herring fishery of the basin more 
nd ^' P ^ arsue( ^? an( * tne railway from Halifax extended, so as to encou- 
g | /t Effect a communication by steamboat across the Bay of Fundy to 
Drop- °^ n ' a ^stance °^ f° rt y-fi ve miles, we might see a distant vista in 
£ ' ,pect, holding out promises of great prosperity to this section of Nova 
_>cotia. 

KING'S COUNTY. 

This county is bounded on the north east by Minas basin ; on the north 
west by Minas channel ; and on the south east by Lunenburg and Hants. 

The only rivers are those emptying themselves into Minas basin, namely, 
the Gaspereaux, Cornwallis, Canard, Habitant and Pereau ; these all run 
nearly parallel with the Minas channel and are navigable for distances vary- 
ing from four to ten miles ; the Cornwallis indeed will admit steam boats of 
light draft for upwards of twenty miles. 

That part of the county bounding on Minas channel, like the correspond- 
ing portion of Annapolis, is precipitous and rocky ; but the borders of the 
streams we have enumerated, present a decided contrast, being flat, with large 
tracts of the richest alluvial deposites in the lower Provinces. The princi- 
pal settlements skirt the rivers and the post road from Halifax towards An- 
napolis : though cross roads are being extended in various directions upon 
which cultivation is being carried on. 

This valuable county had, in 1851, 6,988 acres of dyked marsh, valued at 
£17 per acre, some of which was dyked by the French upwards of 100 years 
ago, and also 66,668 acres of other improved land. The crown lands were then 
about 180,000 acres, one half of which was probably fit for profitable cultiva- 
tion ; there are also several tracts of meadow land in the interior still ungrant- 
ed, but additional roads are required to render these lands accessible to set- 
tlers. 

The subdivisions of the county are : Kentville, the county town, Horton. 
Cornwallis, and Aylesford. Kings was first settled by the French, who 
built a village in Horton, which they called Minas ; but after their expul- 
sion in 1755, their farms were occupied, about 1764, by emigrants from the 
States. Kentville is situated in a vale sheltered on all sides by high land 
and forests. 

This fine county is traversed by several principal roads, which are inter- 
sected, and as it were tied together by numerous cross roads, upon all of 
which are villages as well as scattered iarm-houses, possessing beautiful and 
productive orchards. 

Notwithstanding the great agricultural merit of this county, its popula- 
tion has not increased in proportion to that of many others ; in 1838, it con- 
tained 18,709, and in 1851, 14,138 persons. 

The gross amount of the agricultural productions and farm stock, differed 
very little, 1851, from the amounts raised in Annapolis county, the popu- 
lation of the two being nearly equal. 



333 

In 185i, there were 5Q schools, attended by 1,966 pupils, and in 1852, 
the schools had increased to 66, and the scholars to 2,216. 

Exports. 

£15.057 

4,030 



1852. 
Covnwallis, 
Horton, 


Imports. 

£7664 

3,992 


Totals, 
1853. 
Cornwallis, 
Horton, 


£11,656 

£7,383 
6,061 



£19,087 

£8.936 
4,101 



Totals £13,444 £13 : 037 

Apples and plums were exported in 1853, to the amount of 4,922 bushels. 

COUNTY OF HANTS. 

Hants is bounded on the north by Minas basin and Cobequid bay ; on the 
east by Colchester ; on the south by Halifax and Lunenburg, and on the 
west by King'3. 

This county has a large frontage on the Minas branch of the Bay of Fun- 
dy, and there are numerous streams running into the southerly arm of the 
Minas basin, the principal of which are the Avon, St. Croix, the Meander 
and Kennetcooke. All these except the first are only navigable for a short 
distance from their mouths, but the Avon is accessible for ships to Windsor, 
twelve miles, where it is crossed by a bridge preventing their further pro- 
gross ; and small vessels may ascend about seven miles further ; this river 
is three miles wide at its mouth, and extends to within a short distance o 
the Atlantic. These fine rivers afford great facilities for the shipment 
gypsum and limestone, both of which are very abundant along their margins 
This county has also the benefit of one half of the Shubenacadie, which 
divides it from Colchester on the east, as far as Gay's river. 

In 1851, this county contained 5,292 acres of dyked marsh, valued at 
£22 per acre, and 60,162 acres of other improved land. 

According to the report of the principal County surveyor, Benjamin 
Smith, Esq., " the lands on the principal rivers, and most of the public 
roads have been already granted," and the land fit for settlement still in 
the possession of the Crown, lies in detached places in the county , so that 
new roads will have to be made before the land, so placed, can be rendered 
valuable. This report classifies the crown lands as follows : — 

1st. Land capable of profitable cultivation, 43,500 acres. 

2d. Land covered with timber, but not capable of profit- 
able cultivation, 48,500 " 

3d. Barren land, 74,000 "•' 

Total, 166,000 

However, about 300 families would find suitable farms in the county ; 

and as is the case in most other instances, all that is wanting to render these 

lands accessible is additional and well laid out roads. 

The surface of the greater part of the county is flat, except that portion 

bounding on Halifax, which is hilly and broken ; the frontier land is very 

fertile, especially on the borders of the streams and estuaries. After the 



334 

expulsion of the French, the county was taken up by settlers of various 
origin, principally loyalists and emigrants from the United States. 

There are six townships in this county, namely : Windsor, the shiretown, 
Newport, Kempt, Falmouth, Douglas, and Rawdon. Windsor is a beauti- 
ful town, systematically laid out, and situate in the midst of a valuable coun- 
try. The population of Hants, in 1838, was 11,399, and in 1851, it was 
14,330. This county, with nearly the same population as King's and An- 
napolis, differs very little from them in the growth of farm produce ; so that 
these three counties appear to be nearly balanced in this repect. 

1852. Imports. Exports. 

Maitland, £2,478 £3,815 

Hantsport, 823 2,924 

Windsor, 9,706 9,542 



Totals, 


£13,007 


1853. 




Maitland, 


6,0&3 


Hantsport, 


'2,804 


Windsor, 


16,656 



-£16,281 

8,645 

6,154 

16,065 



Totals, £25,51S- £30,864 

Maitland exported in 1853, 17,973 iong of gypsxtn; Windsor in the 
same year, 55,838 ditto—total, 7.3,811, 

COLCHESTEE. 

This irregularly located county is bounded Oii-'feiie eas"t by Pictou ; on the 
south by Halifax ; On the west by Hants ; on the north and north-west by 
Cumberland and the Northumberland Straits • and in other parts on the 
south by Oobequid Bay. 

Colchester has a front of 45 miles on the Bay, into which Harrington, 
East, Economy, Little and Great Bass rivers, enter ; and further to the east- 
ward, Portapique, Great Village, Folly, De Bert, Chiganois, North and 
Salmon rivers. These all take their rise in, and drain the southerly side of 
the Cobequid hills. The Shubenacadie, which is navigable for schooners 
for upwards of thirty miles, forms the boundary between this county and 
Hants. The Stewiacke, an eastern tributary of the former river, traverses 
the whole southerly section of Colchester. All these rivers are skirted by 
valuable marsh land, similar to that at the head of the Bay of Fundy. 

Cobequid Bay is only twenty-two miles from Tatamagouche harbor, on 
the Northumberland Straits, the division between them being formed by the 
Cobequid Mountains. A number of small streams make their exits into 
this harbor, which have their sources at the foot and on the north side of 
the mountains. The whole county is thus well watered. Some of the 
streams are navigable for schooners — most of them for boats, barges, and 
rafts, for some distance ; and all offer great facilities for the working any 
description of machinery by water-power. 

The natural advantages of this county are very great, comprising coal 
and iron ore, freestone, gypsum, marble, limestone, and rooftbg slate, salt 
springs, sea and river fisheries, and extensive tracts of valuable forest land. 
The interior is diversified by lofty hills, in which the Coboquids are conspic- 
uous, and by extensive vales, while the coast is undulating, with a soil gen- 



335 

orally of a fertile and loamy nature. Although there is much poor land 
to be found, yet the arable tracts are extensive, and they, together with the 
alluvial marshes, render the county a decidedly superior agricultural dis- 
trict. 

The principal part of the land south of the mountains has been granted ; 
but as much of it in their neighborhood is broken by steep hills, deep val- 
lies and ravines, there is great difficulty in cultivating some parts. There 
are numerous detached pieces of lan<Lstill the property of the Crown, amou^ 
which are between four and five thousand acres on the south side of the 
JStewiacke river, and about three thousand near the Whidden settlement. > 
About 30,000 acres, comprising much good land, lie on the north side of 
the same river near its sources ; at the most westerly extremity of the coun- 
ty there are about 5000 acres of excellent quality. All the ungranted lands 
in Colchester will probably be required by its own increasing population, so 
that it does not present so many advantages to emigrants as some of the 
other counties. 

From the extensive forests and ready means of communication with the 
sea, it follows that ship- building and lumbering should be extensively prose- 
cuted by the inhabitants ; and this is the case at Cobequid, and more espe- 
cially at Tatamagouche. Many districts are also well adapted for agricul- 
ture, and the people of Onslow, Londonderry, and the neighborhood devote: 
to it a considerable portion of their attention. When the forests fail, it has 
a concealed and, as yet, nearly dormant source of wealth., second only to its 
soil, in its exhaustless and invaluable mineral depoeites, on which it may 
fall back. 

Cclchester is divided into four townships, namely: Truro, the shire-town, 
Onslow, Londonderry, and Sterling. Truro is a beautiful little town, 
situate on a tabular piece of land divided by a creek, about a mile from the 
head of ship navigation in *he Cobequid Bay. In the centre of the town is 
a fine Square reserved, into which roads enter from all parts of the Province, 
and on its sides are all the public edifices of the county, as well as many 
stores and private buildings, many of them neatly ornamented. The prin- 
cipal part of the town is situate on the south side of the stream ; the streets 
are much better laid off than those of other towns formed in the infancy of 
the colony. From this place, roads diverge to Halifax, Pictou, Wallace and 
Amherst, and thence to New Brunswick. 

The settlements of Truro, Folly, Londonderry, and Economy, skirting 
the northern shore of Cobequid Bay, are densely inhabited, and present the 
appearance of wealth. There are few places, indeed, in the Province which 
afford more picturesque, as ^ell as more thriving prospects, than some of 
these districts ; and the traveller who will take the trouble to ascend an emi- 
nence near Truro, could hardly select a spot where his eye could traverse 
so varied a landscape. The spacious bay, *he numerous streams meander- 
ing through rich marshes, the extensive upland improvements studded with 
farm houses, and last, though not least, the conical sugar-loaf appearance of 
the hills towering in the distance, and covered with trees to their summits, 
present a splendid panorama not easily equalled. 

Large portions of this valuable tract were occupied in the early settle- 
ment of the county, by the French, and after they were dispossessed in 1755 
passed into other hands. The township of Truro, containing 50,000 acres 
was settled by a number of emigrants from Londonderry, Ireland j Onslow 
iftdin iTSlatxral 80 fellies of -various Origin from MtWBachujstte 



336 



who appropriated a portion of the. dilapidated property of the Acadians; 
Londonderry must have had a numerous French population, judging from 
the size of the chapel, which Haliburton tells us, " was 100 feet long and 
and 40 feet wide," and was destroyed on their expulsion by the provincial 
troops ; in the same year, this valuable and fertile section was settled by 
about twenty families from the north of Ireland, who gave it the name of 
the place of their nativity. 

That portion of the county bordering on the Northumberland Straits is 

well settled; the land is excellent, an^the farms are being extended along 

the sea shore, the margins of the streams, and the roads ; the two latter 

every where penetrating into the recesses of the forest. 

The population of Colchester in 1837, was 

And in 1851, 

Number of schools in 1842, 33 Scholars 

1851, 71 

" 1852, t 72 

" of agriculturists in 1851, 

" of acres of land cleared " 



10,674 souls, 
15,469 * 

1,665 
1,861 
2,227 
2.333 
71,670 



Imports. 
Beaver river, 
Londonderry, 
Tatmagouche, 

Exports. 
Beaver river, 
Londonderry, 
Tatmagouche, 



1852. 

£1,219 

4,241 

1,648 



1,673 
2,739 
3,843 



1853. 
£244 

7,828 
1,681 

214 
4,494 
5,125 



The number of vessels built in 1851, was, 
Amounting to the aggregate tonnage of 
In 1853 there were built, 
Amounting in tonnage to 
And of the value of 



Increase, 
£2,645 



Increase. 

£578 

22 
3,192 tons. 

9 
2,144 tons, 
£20,519 



COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND. 

This is the most northern county of Nova Scotia proper, and is bounded 
on the south west by New Brunswick, Cumberland basin, and Chignecto 
Bay ; on the south by Minas channel and basin and Colchester ; on the 
east by Colchester; and on the north east by the Northumberland Straits ; 
with a sea board of nearly fifty miles on the latter, and of over 100 miles 
on the bay of Fundy and its arms. 

The surface of this valuable county presents a great variety, from the 
lofty hills of the Cobequid chain, to the mural cliffs of its western border, 
the rich alluvial marshes of Cumberland basin, and the undulating uplands 
of the Straits. It is capable of being made one of the best agricultural 
counties in the Province, as it possesses a larger per centage of alluvial lands, 
consisting both of alder sevale and marsh, together with a valuable upland 
adapted for the production of every species of farming produce, than any 
one of the eighteen counties into which Nova Scotia is divided. 

Its geographical position, also, having the advantage of the Gulf and Bay of 
Fundy with many excellent harborson both sides, together with its extensive 
road communications, and navigable facilities, added to the valuable character 
of its soil renders it a most desirable locality either for agrioulturo or oommeree. 



337 

The principal reason for its not having made greater progress may probably be 
found in the compound nature of the employments pursued by its inhabitants — 
an error upon which we have so often observed in speaking of various sections 
of the two Provinces — however profitable the lumbering business may be, 
and however praiseworthy the developement of any of the resources of a 
county, yet its avocations too generally interfere with any other pursuit — 
perhaps in some localities the lumberman and fisherman might be well united 
in the same class of persons, as the summer is the best season for fishing, 
while the winter is devoted to the preparation of lumber ; but in every other 
case the attempting too much spoils the whole undertaking. The position 
of the county induced its first settlers, along the shore and margin of its ri- 
vers, to engage largely in the erection of saw mills, as well as in the fishe- 
ries ; and thus arose a greater mixture of employments than in perhaps any 
other county. Thus it has happened that Cumberland, and its neighbor 
Westmoreland, in New Brunswick, have taken the lead of the other coun- 
ties in their respective Provinces, in the number of saw mills, and in the 
hands employed in this branch of business, though it will be seen that Cum- 
berland has, in this respect, a decided advantage. By the census of 1851, 
Cumberland possessed 226 saw mills, which gave employment to 366 hands, 
besides 220 engaged in lumbering ; this with the partial prosecution of the 
fisheries, fully accounts for the neglect its agriculture has experienced. It 
would be difficult to find a stream of any magnitude without its machinery 
of this description, and very frequently its water power is loaded with more 
than it can keep profitably in motion. 

Civil Divisipns, population, roads, and settlements : 

This large county is divided into three townships — Amherst, the shire- 
town, Parrsborough, and Wallace. 

The township of Amherst, including the village of that name, is situate 
near the boundary of New Brunswick, the small district of Fort Lawrence 
only intervening. The town is four miles from the Province line, on an 
undulating ridge, looking towards Forts Lawrence and Cumberland, over ex- 
tensive marshes, and the spacious Cumberland basin stretching in the dis- 
tance. It has one long winding street, which was laid out before its existence as 
a town was thought of, and therefore it possesses some imperfections and 
irregularities, but recently more attention has been paid to system, and 
new streets are now being planned with a due regard to order and its future 
prospects. 

This place is the seat of the Courts of Justice for the County, and con- 
tains a Court House, Jail, Probate Court, and Register Office, with a large 
number of mercantile establishments, and other neat private edifices, also 
places of worship belonging to the Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, 
Baptists and Roman Catholics ; a female Academy, well attended, and other 
literary institutions. 

The surrounding country for many miles is in a good state of cultivation, 
and the numerous roads leading from the town in every direction are densely 
settled ; the scenery of the neighborhood presents a healthy, prosperous, 
and in some places, even a picturesque appearance. 

We may here observe that previous to the separation of New Brunswick 

from Nova Scotia, the township of Amherst, as originally laid off, was 

bounded by lines defined on paper to run from given points ; and a grant " of 

fifty- three shares, or rights (we quote from Haliburton, vol. 11, page 53,) 

45 



338 

of five hundred acres each, and containing twenty-six thousand seven hun- 
dred and fifty acres, with allowance for glebe, school, minister, and roads," 
passed from the Crown ; this block of land is found, like most of the old 
grants, to contain more land than the number of acres specified ; and by an 
unprecedented course the Nova Scotian Legislature have thought proper to 
regrant the surplus, instead of permitting the heirs of the original grantees 
to divide it among themselves. Upon the same principal it would only be 
just for a government to make up the quantity, in case of deficiency, which 
is not usually clone. 

The principal settlements on the other parts of the Bay of Fundy coast, 
are Minudie, a thriving village, in sight of, and only a short distance from 
Amherst, but separated from it by the southerly arm of the Cumberland 
basin. The principal trade is in grindstones and coal, both of which are 
procured and the works carried on with spirit at the Joggins ; the surround- 
ing lands, both marsh and upland, are very productive. Proceeding along 
the Bay we come to Apple river and Advocate harbor, both affording com- 
mercial facilities. 

The township of Parrsborough which is situate in the south west part of 
the county, contains Partridge Island, which forms a small harbor, and is a 
place of some note, on account of the facilities afforded to trade by Minas 
basin and channel, on both of which this township fronts. Though some of 
the land along this coast is rocky and presents a mural appearance, yet there 
are fine tracts of alluvial land on the borders of the bays and streams, and 
also much upland, which well repays its cultivators. The interior of this 
section is but thinly settled. 

The township of Wallace forms the eastern section of the county, and 
abuts on the Northumberland Straits. The whole oft this coast is densely 
settled ; besides the village from which the township takes its name, the set- 
tlements of Pugwash, Goose river, and Tidnish are of a high order, the soil 
being generally based on the grey sandstone, of a dry character, with ex- 
tensive tracts of upland alluvium interspersed through it. 

Pugwash is a neat little town, situate on both banks of the river of that 
name ; the streets are laid off systematically, and with a view to future ex- 
tension. The harbor is the best between Pictou and Miramichi ; vessels of 
the largest class can enter and lie in safety within their own length of the 
shore ; and above the town is a splendid basin capable of holding a whole 
navy. The principal branches of the trade of this place are lumbering, 
fishing, and shipbuilding, while the surrounding country yields large quanti- 
ties of farm produce. 

The North American and European Bailroad will traverse forty miles of 
the eastern section of this county, thirty of which are fit for tillage ; it 
crosses on its track several streams navigable for small crafts, thus affording 
outlets to the sea. 

Rivers and Settlements. — Wallace Bay is a large estuary, where ship- 
building is pursued with much spirit, and there are nearly 500 acres of 
marsh on its borders. Several small rivers full into it ; the banks of the 
principal are settled for about ten miles, and around its head there is much 
good land for future settlement. 

Pugwash river is settled for a short distance above the harbor. 

River Philip is settled for twenty miles up its course, for which distance 
roads extend ; the banks of its tributories are also thickly inhabited. There 
is much poor land in its neighborhood, while near its sources, and along its 



339 



margins, there are extensive tracts of intervale of the best and most pro- 
ductive character, affording large crops of hay and grain. This river has 
long been famed for the abundance and quality of its salmon and trout ; but, 
like other places where lumbering is carried on, and where the inhabitants 
are allowed to take the fish, both in season and out of season, this fishery, 
unless protected by legislative enactment, will soon be extinct. 

Goose river is not very extensive, but it is well settled for five or six miles 
from its mouth. 

Tidnish river is the last in the Province, falling into the Straits. It has 
its source within four miles of that of the La Planche, which runs into Cum- 
berland Basin. The banks of the former are inhabited for about three 
miles. The land at the head of these rivers is generally poor, though there 
are some spots which will repay the cultivator. 

Napan, Maccan, and Hebert rivers, all emptying themselves into the 
Cumberland Basin, are settled for several miles along their bank?, as are 
also most of the other rivers falling into the Bay of Fundy, in the western 
part of the county. Roads communicate with all these settlements. 

The mineral character and educational institutions of this county are no- 
ticed in another place, 

The population of this county, in 1817, was 2,398 

" " " 1827, 5416 

1837, 7,572 

1851, 14,339 

This county has increased so fast, within the last three years, that its in- 
habitants cannot now be far short of 17,000. 

Comparative statement of the imports and exports, at the different 
ports of this countv, in the years 

Imports. 1852. 1853. 

Amherst, £12,475 £13,934 

Joggins, 1,725 1,570 

Parrsborough, 3,301 5.032 

Pugwash, 1,111 3,452 } 

Wallace, 2,956 2,314 



Totals, 


£21,558 


Exports. 




Amherst, 


£4,372 


Joggins, 


3,317 


Parrsborough, 


8,000 


Pugwash, 


10,582 


Wallace, 


4,174 



£26,302 

£4,035 
3,483 

9,932 



Increase, 
£4,744. 



Increase, 



14,009 \ oToTnl 
7 490 £1S > m 



Totals, £20,445 

Excess of exports over imports, 
Number of agriculturists in 1851, 
Acres of land cleared " 

Number of schools in 1842, 

" scholars " 

" schools in 1851, 

^ scholars li 

» schools in 1852, 
Aver&ge attendance of pupjlg, 



£38,949 , 



£13,760 

1,932 

101,067 

55 

1,796 

71 

1,861 

56 

J,906 



340 

The number of vessels built in 1851 was 38 

Of the gross amount of 10,233 tons. 

And there were built in 1853, 21 vessels, 

Amounting, in the aggregate, toj 4,177 tons, 
And to the value of £46,089. 

PICTOU 

Is bounded south by Halifax and Guysborough ; on the west by Colches- 
ter ; on the east by Sydney ; and on the north by the Northumberland 
Straits, on which it has a front of fifty miles. 

This county presents, in its general character, a great diversification of 
hills, vallies and winding streams. The soils are comprised, principally, 
under the silurian and carboniferous formations, and, with few exceptions, 
are well calculated for agricultural purposes. 

The principal harbor in the county is that of Pictou, situate near the cen- 
tre of its sea-board ; it is sufficiently deep and capacious to allow large class 
vessels to enter, though by a narrow channel, and to be in perfect safety ; 
indeed, there is ample room, in from five to nine fathoms of water, with a 
muddy bottom, for a very large fleet. The light house at its entrance affords 
the necessary directions to mariners making the port. Three streams fall 
into this harbor, namely — West, Middle and East rivers ; the latter has 
numerous tributaries, and is navigable for small vessels for upwards of five 
miles. All these rivers drain large tracts of good land, and are well adapt- 
ed for saw mills, and the floating down lumber for shipment. 

Near the eastern boundary of the county, the river John makes its exit 
into Tatamagouche harbor, in Colchester ; and at the eastern extremity, 
Sutherland, French, and Barney's rivers, empty themselves into the shallow 
harbor of Merigonish. 

The county is intersected not only by these numerous streams, but also 
by roads running along their banks, and along the coast in almost every di- 
rection. There are great leading roads to New Brunswick near the shore, 
and by way of Amherst, as well as to Truro, Canso, Halifax, and other 
places on the Atlantic coast, all concentrating at the harbor of Pictou. 

There are only three townships in the county, namely —Pictou, Maxwell- 
ton and Egerton ; but villages and settlements, some of them almost entitled 
to be called towns, are scattered over the whole county. Besides Pictou, 
the shire-town, the principal are New Glasgow, Albion Mines, Durham, on 
the West river, and Bellevue, on the river John. 

Pictou is a neat-looking town on the north side of the harbor, to which, 
as well as to the county, it has given its name, in l°t. 45 ° 42' north, and 
long. 62 ° 46' west. Its front streets indicate the same want of system, in 
its first laying out, that we so often observe in early settlements. Recent- 
ly, however, a great advance has been made, both in the location and exten- 
sion of new streets, the improvement of the old ones, and the erection of 
numerous elegant edifices, many of them being built of stone. 

Tnis town possesses great advantages, in its geographical position, with 
regard to the trade of the Gulf and Straits, its proximity to the flourishing 
islands of Prince Edward and Cape Breton, and the excellent quality of the 
soil of the surrounding districts. To these may be added the commercial 
facilities for the valuable fisheries of all these coasts^-for ship-building, and 
for the important coaJ trade carried on from its harbor to all the British Pro* 



341 

vinces and the United States ; the latter, indeed, may be expected to receive a 
great additional stimulus from the Elgin treaty ; and the whole, if rendered 
properly available, cannot fail to constitute it the second place of importance 
in the Province. 

All the public buildings of the county are here situate, together with 
post and telegraph offices, giving ready means of communication to every 
principal town in the Provinces and the States. Among its excellent edu- 
cational establishments, we must not omit to mention the Pictou Academy, 
founded in 1816. From this institution has emanated much valuable infor- 
mation, placing this county foremost, in proportion to its population, in the 
literary scale of the Province. 

The neat and flourishing towns of New Glasgow and Albion Mines, are 
situate on the east river of Pictou, near the coal mines to which they owe 
their existence. The coal of these mines is transported to the loading ground 
on the harbor by means of a railway five miles in length, worked by loco- 
motive engines. The population of this section of the county is fast on the 
increase ; and the neighboring districts, notwithstanding a large portion of 
the inhabitants being engaged in mining, are undergoing great improvement 
in agricultural respects. 

A railway from these mines to Halifax, to which we have already referred, 
would confer a lasting benefit on this county, and would no doubt be highly 
remunerative ; it is calculated indeed that the revenue derived from the coal 
trade alone would pay the interest on half a million of money. 

Population. — Pictou was settled in 1765, by a few families from Mary- 
land, who, eight years afterwards, were joined by about thirty families from 
the Highlands of Scotland ; since that time there has been a considerable emi- 
gration from various parts of Scotland ; and the principal part of the popula- 
tion consist of these emigrants and their descendants. Gaelic is commonly 
spoken in many districts. 

In 1837, the population numbered, 21,449 

" 1851, 25,593 

The number of schools in this county in 1851, was 102 

Attended by 3,525 pupils 

In 1852, there were 96 schools 

Attended by 4,622 pupils 

The number of persons respectively engaged in the following pursuits in 
1851, were: — 

Merchants, 159 

Manufacturers, 280 

Mechanics, 1,089 

Agriculturists, 3,463 

Inhabited Houses, 3,869 

Other buildings, 4,757 

Families, 4,110 

Improved lands in 1851, 103,582 acres 

1827, 49,181 " 



Increase in ten years, 54,401 " 

The sawed lumber exported in 1853, amounted to 4,140,000 feet, of the 
value of £15,645 ; almost all of which was sent to Great Britain* In the 
9*me year there were 92)181 chaldrons of coal utportedt 



342 

The vessels built in 1851, were 27. of the aggregate tonnage of 9,680 
tons ; and in 1853, there were 21 built, making together 5,884 tons ; twelve 
of these were sold in Great Britain, and the value of the whole number was 
£54,904. 

The value of the merchandize entered at the port of Pictou during the 
year 1852, was £43,597 ; of which £17,610 was from Great Britain ; 
£6,359 from ports in British North America; and £19,602 from the 
States. 

In the same year, the exports from Pictou were valued at £57,618, of 
which the worth of £13,056 was sent to Great Britain ; £10,299 to North 
America ; £33,761 to the United States, and the remainder to other coun- 
tries. 

Fisheries. — Notwithstanding the facilities afforded by this county for the 
prosecution of this branch of industry, it appears by the Census of 1851, 
that the principal items in the catch of that year were 75 barrels of salmon, 
and 50 of herring ; and in 1853, there were exported from the port of Pictou 
only 748 barrels of herrings, of the value of £554. 

Although large quantities of land have been granted, and extensive im- 
provements made in this county, there are still 120,000 acres ungranted. 
About one fourth of this or 30,000 acres, is fit for cultivation ; so that 300 
families could be located on 100 acres each. The principal part of the land 
capable of tillage is situate between Barney's River and St. Mary's settle- 
ment, in the eastern section of the county ; and it is therefore easy of access 
from Merigomish harbor. This tract is clothed principally with hardwood, 
and is well watered, though somewhat stony. There are about 75.000 
acres of the Crown Land lying near the sources of the East river, of which 
not more than seven or eight thousand are adapted for settlement ; and as 
they are in detached pieces, they are therefore not so advantageous for pro- 
fitable cultivation. 

There are many other spots where good land could be procured ; al- 
though recent fires have ravaged a large portion of this county, but in this 
as in most other districts where fire has spread, the land is generally poor, 
and the timber of inferior growth. 

THE COUNTY OF SYDNEY 

Is bounded on the west by Pictou ; north by the Straits of Northumber- 
land and Saint George's Bay ; east by a part of the Gut of Canso ; and on 
the south by Guysborough. 

This small county is traversed by a ridge of lofty hills, being a continu- 
ation of the Cobequid chain, and has much undulating land. It possesses 
several small harbors on St. George's Bay, the principal of which is Anti- 
gonish ; there are several rivers emptying themselves into this harbor, which 
drain a large extent of country. From Antigonish to the Gut of Canso 
there are some small streams falling into St. George's Bay. 

From the general mountainous character of this county there is not much 
ungranted land fit for settlement. The soil is, to a great extent, very dry 
and meagre ; and a great many of the inhabitants are merely squatters hav- 
ing no title to their lands. Still there are many fine settlements in the coun- 
ty ; and there is a large fiat tract of fertile land, bounded on each side by 
bilk, running through its centre. 

Hycluey is divided jnto four towwhipi— Antigom'sb, containing tbo nUrt* 



1852. 


Imports. 


Antigonish, 


£435 


1853. 




Antigonish, 


593 



343 

town of the same name, Tracadie, St. Andrew's, and Arisaig. In 1837, 
the inhabitants numbered 7,103, and in 1851, they amounted to 13,467. 

The population, which is principally composed of persons from the High- 
lands of Scotland, and their descendants, live chiefly by agriculture and 
fishing. The principal minerals hitherto discovered, are limestone and gyp- 
sum ; the latter is beginning to be used in agricultural operations, and small 
quantities are exported. 

Roads are either made or projected from Antigonish in every direction 
throughout the country, so that almost all its lands available for settlement 
will have the advantage of highway communication. In 1851, there were 
69,370 acres of improved land, and 2,113 farmers within the coanty. 
The number of schools in 1851, was, 46 

And of pupils, 1,348 

In 1852, the schools were 55 

And the scholars numbered, 1,642 

The commercial returns are as follows : — 

Exports. 
£7,520. 

5,238 

THE COUNTY OF GUYSBOROUGH 

Is bounded on the north east by Chedabucto Bay, and the Gut of Canso ; 
on the north by Sydney and Pictou ; on the south west by the county of 
Halifax ; and on the south east by the Atlantic. 

Milford Haven is the largest harbor of this county in Chedabucto Bay, 
which contains some others of a smaller size. There are a great many on 
the Atlantic coast, the principal of which are Canseau, a good harbor, White- 
haven, Country harbor, also good, St. Mary's Bay, Liscomb, and other har- 
bors. 

The subdivisions of the county are, Guysborough, the shire-town, Man- 
chester, and St. Mary's. 

There are about 304,000 acres of ungranted land in this county, of which 
about 80,000 are fit for cultivation ; and about 35,000 are good timber land ; 
the remainder is almost all barren and unfit for settlement. The greater 
part of the available lands, according to the report of William Hartshorne, 
Esq., principal deputy surveyor of the county, lie as follows : — near the St. 
Mary's river, 30,000 acres; between Salmon river lakes and the county of 
Sydney, 20,000 acres, this is a superior tract, and if roads were made through 
it, would soon be settled ; between the Gut of Canso and the river at the 
head of Milford harbor, there are about 15,000 acres; and about 15,000 
acres between the back lands of Salmon river and the Atlantic. There are 
also several detached pieces of land throughout the county well worth cul- 
tivation. There are nearly 100 squatters on the public lands of this county. 

Until recently, farming has not been carried on with much spirit in this 
county ; fishing having been the principal pursuit of its inhabitants. That 
portion bordering on the Atlantic and the south side of Chedabucto Bay, is, 
with few exceptions, very rugged and rocky ; while there is a ridge, inclu- 
ding the good lands above described, extending from the southerly entrance 
of the Gut of Canso, through the centre of the county to its south western 



344 

extremity. Here four or five hundred families could speedily be settled on 
lands that are well adapted for cultivation. Notwithstanding the inattention 
formerly paid to agriculture, there are several fine settlements in the county, 
and limestone is abundant. The early settlers in Guysborough were loyal- 
ists from the States and disbanded soldiers. Its population in 1827, was 
5,657, and in 1851, it contained 10,838. 

Koads diverge from the shire-town in various directiens, but new ones are 
much wanted in order that the large tracts of land capable of cultivation 
may be made available for settlement. 

In 1851 this county contained 11,510 acres of improved land, and 2,113 
farmers, with about an equal number of fishermen. 

The number of schools in the same year was, 43 

And of pupils, 1,026 

The following figures will shew the state of its commerce in the years 
specified: — 

1853. Exports. Imports. 

Guysborough, £2,203 £2,807 

Canso, 6,646 9,895 

1852, 

Guysborough, 2,174 1,196 

Canso, 7,046 7,350 



THE ISLAND OF CAPE BRETON. 

General description and sub-divisions. 

This valuable Island, called by Vezazzani, Isle du Cape, and by the 
French, Isle Eoyale, lies between 45° 27' and 47° 2' North Latitude, 
and 59° 47' and 61° 37' West Longitude ; its extreme length being about 
110 miles, and its greatest breadth about 90 miles. Its seaboard is sur- 
rounded by numerous small islands, and its surface, exclusive of water, com- 
prises about 2,000,000 acres. 

This island is divided from Nova Scotia proper by the Gut of Canso, which 
in some places is not more than three-fourths of a mile in width, while in 
others it is more than double that distance. On the north of this strait it is 
also bounded by St. George's Bay, and on the south by Chedabucto Bay, 
both lying between the island and Nova Scotia. The widest part of the 
Straits of Northumberland separate the western coast at Cape Mahon from 
East Cape in Prince Edward Island by a distance of about thirty miles. 
The most northly point, Cape North, is about ten miles from St. Paul's Is- 
land, and about fifty from Cape Ray in Newfoundland. The submarine 
telegraph cable intended to connect Newfoundland with the American conti- 
nent is proposed to be laid down either between these two points or to Prince 
Edward Island, as the managers of the Company may hereafter determine. 
Cape Breton now possesses a similar connection with Nova Scotia proper, 
and through that Province to the States, New Brunswick, and Canada by a 
line already complete, spanning the Gut of Canso. 

The Island of Cape Breton, an historical account of which will be found 
at the commencement of this chapter, was annexed to Nova Scotia in 1763, 
immediately after its final surrender to Great Britain ; it continued so united 
until 1784, when it was established as a separate colony. In 1800 a num- 
ber of families emigrated thither from Scotland. It made but slow advances 



345 

during this period, and in 1820, it "was re-united to Nova Scotia, of which 
it still forms a part. The climate diners but little from that of its neigh- 
bors, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island. About one half of its area, 
or 1,000,000 acres, is highly fit for cultivation, and produces all the varie- 
ties of food for man or beast, common in the other lower Provinces. 

Cape Breton is highly favored in respect to its water communications ; its 
eastern shore is washed by the Atlantic, with excellent harbors, accessible 
at all seasons of the year; its northern extremity protrudes into the Gulf of 
St. Lawrence; while the Northumberland Straits and the Gut of Canso are 
respectively its western and southern boundaries, forming a sea coast of no 
less than 300 miles, the whole of which is indented by numerous harbors, 
many of them of first rate importance. Internally it is literally a net work 
of streams and lakes ; and it is separated into two parts, with the exception 
only of a narrow isthmus of 767 yards, by the Bras d'or Lake, (pronounced 
Bra dore) and two of its outlets, bearing the same name, having large arms 
or extending into each of the two peninsulas into which the island is thus 
divided. This sheet of water extends nearly 60 miles from the Atlantic 
coast to St. Peters' Bay, with which it is about to be connected by a canal 
across the narrow neck of land before mentioned. This work has long been 
considered a great desideratum to the fishing and mineral, as well as to the 
agricultural interests of the island ; and the depth of water in ail parts of 
the chain of lakes, forming the Bras d'or, is sufficient for ships of the lar- 
gest burthen. The practicability of the undertaking will be best shewn by 
the following extract from a report made by Capt. Barry of the Royal En- 
gineers, to the government of Nova Scotia, in 1853, in which he says, 
" The greatest depth of cutting to bottom of canal is fifty-seven feet, and it 
will generally have thirteen feet water in it, * *, * and be navigable 
for the passage of vessels drawing from nine feet to eleven feet six inches of 
water." The difference between the surface of the water of the lake, and 
that of high water at spring tides in St. Peters' Bay is only two feet, the 
latter being the highest. The dimensions of the canal proposed by Captain 
Barry, are as follows : " width of canal at ten feet, deep 20 feet ; slopes 
about one and an half to one, depth of water 13 feet, width of canal at 
water line 50 feet, lock, length 120 feet, lock opening of gate 22 feet. 
These dimensions, I consider, ample for the accommodation of any vessel, 
employed in the fisheries and coasting trade of the Province." 

He proposes to construct the principal part of the works with bricks, for 
the manufacture of which there is abundance of the best clay on the spot. 
He estimates the whole cost of forming the canal at £17,751. 

The Nova Scotia Legislature in 1852, passed an act guaranteeing threo 
and an half per cent on the capital employed by any Company who would 
complete this desiderable work up to about three fourths of the estimate ; 
this guarantee to cease as soon as the proceeds of the canal should amount 
to this per centage over and above the working expences. 

The surface of this Island is much diversified, presenting, especially to- 
wards the north a strong contrast with its insular neighbor, Prince Edward 
Island. In that part of Cape Breton the coast is bold and rocky, some of 
the hills almost assuming the character of mountains, and rising to the 
height of 1000 feet, while their sugar loaf form presents from the sea a 
very picturesque appearance. The southern border is more flat and undu- 
lating. 

About ten miles north easterly from Cape North, the northern point of 

46 



346 

Capo Breton, and in a direct lino between that Cape and Cape Ray, New- 
foundland, is situate St. Paul's Island, a most dangerous rock, on which 
which thousands of lives are said to have been lost. This rocky islet stretch- 
es in a north and south direction for about three miles, it is very narrow, 
and has a Light House, 140 feet high, on each extremity. It has long been 
the dread of mariners ; and is surrounded by a depth of water of from 20 
to 40 fathoms. 

In 1853, a survey of the northern and western sections of Cape Breton, 
from St. Ann's Bay to the Gut of Canso, was made by direction of the 
Government, by J. B. Forman, Esq., with the view to the improvement of 
the harbors on this part of the coast. From the whole tenor of the able re- 
port made by this gentleman, it appears that their permanent improvement 
cannot be effected without a large outlay of capital. 

With reference to the general character of the island, Mr. Forman says, 
that, "any person of observation, visiting the Island of Cape Breton, can- 
not but be struck with surprise at the vast natural resources every where 
exhibited. The mineral deposits seem to be without limit ; the inland navi- 
gation, with reference to the extent of country, unparalleled ; the soil in 
many places of the most fertile description ; and its fisheries are unsurpassed 
by any in the world. Unfortunately, however, capital and skill, the great 
desiderata necessary to bring into full operation these beautiful gifts of na- 
ture, are not there ; the day must, however, come when this island will hold 
a position of no secondary importance, and become capable, not only of sup- 
porting a much larger than the present population, but also by its exports 
supplying the wants, and conducing to the comforts of the inhabitants of 
other countries ; and the improvement of its harbors will be no unimpor- 
tant step to bring about this result." 

The crown land on this island is very extensive, and much of it highly 
capable of profitable cultivation ; it is estimated, however, that full one half 
of the settled lands have not been granted, the people merely living there 
as squatters, and not real owners of the soil. 

Civil divisions. — This island is divided into four counties ; the names, 
geographical position, and character of which are as follows : — 

Inverness, stretches from near the centre of the Gut of Canso along the 
whole north western section of the Island, and has a length of over 100 
miles with an average breadth of fifteen. The shire- town is Port Hood. 
The lands in many parts of this county is of a high order for agricultural 
purposes, and there are numerous thriving villages and settlements along 
the bays and rivers of its sea girt boundary. La^e tracts of the best land 
along the shore have been granted ; but it is calculated that there are near- 
ly 40,000 acres of good land, fit for settlement, still in the hands of the 
Crown. About 500 of the settlers are mere squatters, without title to the 
lands they possess. 

This county has no fine harbors with the exception of the Gut of Canso, 
which has a depth of water varying from 14 to 54 fathoms. 

The border of the Strait as far as Port Hood is principally settled by 
families from the Highlands of Scotland, among whom the Gaelic is much 
spoken ; northerly as far as Cape Mahon, the people are of a mixt origin ; 
at Margaiie, 50 miles north of Port Hood, and thence to Cheticamp. where 
there is a Jersey fishing station, the inhabitants are mostly descendants from 
the Acadian French. Still further to the north, though the hills assume a 
majestic appearance, the soil is more meagre and rocky and the settlements 
are few and far between. 



347 

Victoria. — This county, whose principal town is Bedeque, lies for the 
most part north of the Bras d'or waters and is bounded on the north west 
by Inverness, and on the east by the Atlantic. It presents the same varie- 
ties of soil with the county we have just described. The best land is found 
skirting the streams, most of that on the sea shore being unfit for cultivation. 
Fishing and farming, but principally the former, are the chief occupations 
of the inhabitants of the north eastern portion of the county. From Cape 
North to St. Ann's Bay, the coast is bold, and in many places the rocks 
overhang the sea, making the navigation somewhat precarious ; it is but 
thinly settled. St. Ann's Bay has a depth of seven fathoms, and is a safe 
harbor, easy of access ; the soil aiong its borders is well fitted for cultiva- 
tion. A short distance south of this harbor, and of which it almost forms 
a part, is the entrance to the great Bras d'or, which has from 80 to 40 feet 
of water ; this is the main channel leading to those curiously formed sheets 
of navigable waters washing the interior of the island. A little further to 
the southward lies the lesser entrance of the same name, which, though 
having GO fathoms water within, is too shallow at its mouth to admit vessels 
of any considerable burthen. These two passages are separated by Boular- 
drie, or, as called by Captain Bayfield, Borilactria Island, which, as well as 
much of the surrounding country, belongs to the coal field ; there are also 
limestone, freestone, and salt springs in the vicinity. A part only of this 
island is attached to Victoria county. 

There are a great number of persons settled in this county under location 
tickets, obtained by them previous to the removal of the Crown Land Office 
from Cape Breton to Halifax ; and in many instances they appear to consi- 
der that time has ratified their claims to the lands they possess. The inter- 
ior is almost all a dense wilderness of which little is known. 

The island of Washahok, situate at the head of the two Bras d'or outlets, 
forms a part of this county. 

The County of Cape Breton is bounded on the north-west by the coun- 
ty of Victoria, and the waters of the Bras d'Or ; on the north east and east 
by the Atlantic ; and on the south-west by the county of Richmond. 

A part of the Boulardarie, or Borilactria, island is within the limits of 
this county, as is -also Scatarie island. A large portion of the county is 
washed by the Atlantic, as well as by the inland chain of lakes. Sydney 
is the shire-town, and is situate on a peninsula within the harbor of the same 
name ; at its extremity are barracks, together with a battery and block- 
house, where a few soldiers are usually stationed. A short railroad runs 
from the coal mines to the place of destination. 

Communication is constantly kept up between this town and the other 
villages in the harbor, and also periodically with Halifax, by steamboats. 
The harbor has not less than five fathoms of water in the shallowest place ; 
and from this circumstance, no less than from the other advantages it pos- 
sesses, it must speedily become a place of importance. Among other ele- 
ments of improvement may be enumerated the agricultural capabilities of 
the surroundiug districts, and the advances they are making in that respect; 
the extensive coal deposites, and the vast quantities of that mineral annual- 
ly shipped ; as well a3 the facilities presented for the prosecution of the fish- 
eries, and other branches of commerce. 

Mire' Bay has a depth of from six to sixteen fathoms of water. The en- 
trance to the river of the same name is shallow; the latter has its rise about 
forty or fifty miles in the interior of thi3 county, 



348 

The island of Scatarie, which is the most easterly point of Cape Breton, 
consists of poor barren land, and is the scene of numerous shipwrecks ; a 
light house has been erected on its eastern point. Gabarus Bay has suffi- 
cient water for vessels of the largest class. This section of the county was 
originally settled by a number of American loyalists, who, with their des- 
cendants, have done much for the improvement of this part of the country. 
The soil from this harbor along the sea-board to the westward is good for 
many miles. 

The lands of this county are more undulating than those of the two last 
described ; it comprises much fertile land, a large portion of which has been 
granted ; but there are some extensive tracts of excellent quality still at the 
disposal of the Crown ; but, as yet, the principal settlements are confined 
to the banks of the streams and harbors, the latter of which are numerous 
and good. The land along the internal waters of the county is also good, 
though as yet thinly settled. 

Richmond, the fourth and last county, in the order of description into 
which this island is divided, is bounded on the north by Inverness, Bras d' Or 
Lake, and Cape Breton County ; and on the south by a part of the Gut of 
Canso, Chedabucto Bay, and the Atlantic. There are a great many islands 
belonging to this county on the Cape Breton side of Chedabucto Bay, (of 
which St. Peter's Bay is an arm) ; the principal of which are Januries' Is- 
land and Isle Madame. 

The county is nearly divided by the isthmus already described between 
St. Peter's Bay and Bras d'Or. Its townships are Aricbat, the shire-town, 
situate on Isle Madame, and Lenox, Maitland, and Hawksbury. 

From a report made in 1854, by Thomas Grumley, Esq , the principal 
county surveyor, there appears to be 90.000 acres of first rate soil in the 
county, and 45,000 of second rate, exclusive of the Isle Madame. This is 
a flourishing island, and Arichat enjoys a considerable coasting trade. 

Richmond, like Cape Breton county, is generally flat, with a soil capable 
of cultivation. The most valuable tracts border on the streams and other 
inland waters, and on the Bay shores. Coal is known to exist in this coun- 
ty ; also, limestone and gypsum are abundant. Many of the descendants 
of the Acadian French, the original inhabitants, still remain in it. 

The inhabitants of Cape Breton, being descendants from the Scottish 
Highlanders, with the exception only of the remnants of the Acadians and 
son:e few loyalists and families of various origin, are a hardy, industrious 
race of people, and make excellent settlers. They are principally Presby- 
terians and Roman Catholics. 

The history of this island must always remain a matter of deep interest 
to every British subject, but more especially to the inhabitants of British 
North America. We have already noticed its geographical position between 
the Atlantic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which, with its great, though 
hitherto unknown or unappreciated intrinsic worth, must, ere long, make it 
one of the principal commercial resorts and centres of trade in these north- 
ern waters. 

To the French its value was well known, as the enormous expenditure on 
the fortifications of Louisburg, and the struggles they made to preserve it. 
abundantly prove. It was, indeed, the capital of what are now known as 
the Lower Provinces, and it cost the bravery and military skill of Britain's 
ablest commanders to reduce and dismantle it, in the years 1745 and 1758. 

If we look at Louisburg in its present state, we are struck with the con* 



349 

trast it presents to the accounts we have of its ancient grandeur. The har- 
bor, once crowded with vessels, comprising a large portion of the navy of 
France, scarcely contains a single sail. Its lofty walls, once bristling with 
cannon, -which environs the fifty acres on which the town stood ; the busy 
and crowded city itself, with its cathedral, chapels, hospital, nunnery, brew- 
ery and theatre ; its government and public buildings ; its portcullis, bomb- 
proofs, magazines, and other defences, have all passed away, and their only 
memorials are a few mounds covered with herbage ; the formidable fortifica- 
tions at the entrance of the harbor are mere grass-covered hillocks. The 
island at the entrance, on which a strong battery was placed, is now en- 
croached on by the sea. The remains of the foundations of many of the 
strongholds and public buildings are still visible ; and we may trace, in the 
midst of a bog on which the town was built, and by which it was surround- 
ed, the breastwork, at about 400 yards from the citadel, thrown up by the 
besiegers previous to its capture. Bombshells, cannon balls, cannons, and 
other arms, are frequently found, together with fragments of the human 
frame ; and these are ail that is now left to mark the position of ancient 
Louisburg. At this day, the harbor is scarcely numbered amon^ the sea- 
ports of the island ; and the site of this once strongly -fortified and flourish- 
ing town is inhabited by a few families, who raise part of their subsistence 
upon its ruins, while they derive the remainder from their pursuit of the 
finny tribes of the deep. Such is often the fate of places once notorious in 
history, 

Roads and Emigration. — This island would afford room for an exten- 
sive emigration, if its valuable lands were rendered accessible by roads. 
Heretofore, all its settlements have been confined to isolated spots along its 
sea-board and internal waters, while a large portion of its lands, well fitted 
for the plough, are still without communication, It is true that it would be 
difficult to find a country so well provided with water facilities as this is ; 
but although such a pathway may be found very advantageous, still, as every 
storm troubles its surface, it becomes necessary that other means of transit 
and conveying information should be found — that roads, and, in the present 
day, telegraphs also, should be constructed. 

Although the settlements are not in all places continuous, they are gene- 
rally connected by roads running along the shores of the sea and inland wa- 
ters, and in many places, across the country to the Bras d'Or. There is also 
a connection formed from Sydney and other places on the island to the con- 
tinent by means of the submarine telegraph. 

In addition to the amount of labor performed on the roads by the inhabi- 
tants, there are large appropriations annually made by the Nova Scotian 
Legislature for their extension and improvement ; and as new settlements 
form, this encouragement is increased. 

The commercial character of the island was realized, to a greater extent, 
when it was in the possession of France, than it has been since ; and there 
is little doubt but that, had it continued a French colony, it would have pre- 
sented an aspect, at this day, worthy the imitation of the neighboring Pro- 
vinces. It is said, indeed, that that nation employed 600 vessels in its fish- 
eries, and annually exported 5,800,000 quintals of fish; which, as well as 
many other facts we have referred to, evidently shews the estimation in 
which it was then held. 

The population of Cape Breton, in 1837, was as follows ; 



350 



County of Cape Breton, ) The only counties into ) 


14,111 


" Inverness, > which the island was > 


14099 


" Richmond, ) then divided, ) 


7,203 


Total, 


35,413 


In 1851 the numbers ranged as follows : 




Inverness, 


16,917 


Richmond, 


10,381 


Cape Breton, ) 
Victoria, \ 


27,580 



Total, 54,878 

Shewing an increase of 19,465 souls in fourteen years. 

In 1828, there were exported from Arichat, 39,200 quintals of cod, and 
12,559 barrels of pickled fish. In 1848, the whole value of fish exported 
from Cape Breton was £75,000. 

The imports and exports from the ports of Sydney and Arichat in the 
year 1844 were as follows : — 

Imports. Exports. 

Ships, 989 1.038 

Tons, 71,585 73,256 

Value, sterling, £,81,181 £128,708 

In the same year 47,926 chaldrons of coal were exported. 

The total number of vessels which entered inwards at the various ports 
of this island, in 1850, was 508, of the gross amount of 47,661 tons; and 
outwards in the same year, 405 vessels of the gross burthen of 86,468 
tons. 

The value of imports during the same year was £34,369 and of exports 
£84,725. 

In 1853, the value of imports and exports is shewn as follows : — 

Imports. Exports. No. of ships. Tonnage. 
Arichat, £13,520 £27 911 6 699 

Port Hood. 697 3,073 

Sjdney, 18,309 45,912 9 872 

Totals, 32,526 76,896 15 1,571 

The trade of Cape Breton having been incorporated with that of Nova 
Scotia proper, the above table does not by any means exhibit its present 
imports and exports. 

There were in 1851, 5,884 farmers ; 2,669 fishermen ; and 74 lumber- 
men ; the inhabited houses were 8,147 , and the families 8,556. The im- 
proved land numbered 161,320 acres ; horses 6.416 : cattle 46.937 ; sheep 
52,114: swine 7,651; bushels of wheat raised 46,388; barley 46,993; 
oats 373,317; buckwheat 892 ; Indian coin 314; potatoes 204'.851 ; tur- 
nips 37,978 ; pounds of butter made 695,036 ; and 73,649 pounds of cheese. 
There were also raised in the same year 39.689 tons of hay. 

The saw mills were 30 ; grist mills 75 ; steam mills 2 ; tanneries 14 ; 
foundries 1 ; carding mills, &c. 6 : and yards of cloth made 196,1 

The numerous harbors and extensive inland navigation afford great facili- 
ties for shipbuilding; and this branch of business, besides the agricultural 
products, fisheries, and coal trade, render Cape Breton a most important 
appendage to Nova Scotia. 



351 



Religious Denominations in 1851, 



Clergymen, 34 ; adherents to Episcopalian Church, 2,970 ; Presbyteri- 
ans, 19,333; Eoman Catholics, 27,061 ; Baptists, 840 ; Methodists, 865. 

Education, — In 1842, there were 124 schools, attended by 4,179 pupils; 
and in 1851 there were the same number of schools, attended by about 
3,000 pupils. But in 1852 the schools numbered 190, and the pupils 5,600. 
These last statistics manifest a marked increase, while those of 1851 shew 
the then depressed state of the country, both in a commercial and agricul- 
tural point of view. There is an academy at Arichat, affording philosophi- 
cal education. 

A weekly newspaper is published at Sydney, called the " Cape Breton 
News." 

SABLE ISLAND. 

This low, sandy Island, known in the early history of this Province by 
the abortive attempt at colonization, made upon its inhospitable shores by 
the Marquis de la Roche, in 1598, has its eastern extremity in lat. 43 ° 
59' north, and long. 59 ° 46' west. It is shaped somewhat like a bow, and 
is in length twenty-five miles, and about one mile and a fourth in breadth. 
Its position is eighty miles southerly of Nova Scotia, and nearly in the track 
of vessels to and from Europe. The western end of this island, for upwards 
of two miles, has been washed away by the sea, while additions have been 
made, by the same mighty agent, to other parts of it. It is extremely dan- 
gerous to mariners, especially as its north-eastern bar extends about fourteen 
miles. At thirteen miles, it has six fathoms of water, while at the four- 
teenth there are ten, and a short distance outside, 170 fathoms. 

A light house should be erected on some part of the island ; at present, 
there is an establishment maintained on it, at a cost of £1 000 per annum, 
defrayed partly by Nova Scotia, and partly by Great Britain, by which a 
vast amount of life and property is saved. 

Notwithstanding the narrowness of this island, there is a lake, about fif- 
teen miles long, by about three-quarters of a mile wide, extending along its 
centre, and known by the name of Lake Wallace, around which grow large 
quantities of wild grasses and cranberries ; of the latter, £107 worth were 
exported in 1853. It ha3 also been famed for the numbers of wild cattle 
and horses with which it abounds, and which subsist upon the natural grass- 
es. Two cargoes of these horses, which are well known as Sable Island 
ponies, were sold in 1853 in the United States for £173. This sum, and 
the produce of the cranberries, assisted in supporting the establishment be- 
fore mentioned. Every possible aid is afforded by the resident and his as- 
sistants to those who may be wrecked on the island, most of whom, previ- 
ously to this measure being adopted, were either drowned, or perished from 
starvation. Life boats, with complete outfits, were presented to the estab- 
lishment by the philanthropic Miss Dix, which have greatly added to its 
utility in succouring vessels in distress. The same lady also forwarded 
about 500 volumes of selected books for the use of the persons thereon. 

The soil and climate of this island are not congenial to the production of 
food for man ; but its vicinity contains abundance of mackarel, cod and other 
fish, and there are good facilities for taking them. Recently, schooners up 
to 100 tons burthen have done a profitable business in these fisheries, and 
the opening the American market will probably cause a considerable increase. 



352 



PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 

GEOGRAPHY. 

This island is situate between 45° 56' and 47° 4' north latitude, and 
between 62° and 64° 25' west longitude. It lies in the Gulf of St Law- 
rence, and is in the form of a crescent. Its length is about 134 miles, and 
its greatest breadth 34 miles ; in its narrowest part, which is near the cen- 
tre, it is only about four miles wide. Cape Traverse, on the south side of 
the island, is nine miles from Cape Tormentine and on the west it is fourteen 
miles from Eichibucto Head, both the latter being in New Brunswick. In 
consequence of the numerous and deep indentations of its coast, there is no 
part of the island more than seven miles from tide water. 

Hillsborough Bay, which is the second harbor in the island, has a depth 
of from 15 to 40 feet of water; its entrance is between St. Peter's island 
and Point Prim, and is about half a mile in width. We may here remark 
that, from the peculiar geographical character of this island, there are no 
rivers of any magnitude, its inland waters are almost arms of the sea, though 
many of them are called rivers, which do not extend far into the country. 

Hillsborough Bay receives numerous streams, the principal of which are 
Eliot, York, and Hillsborough. On a peninsula formed by the junction of 
the two latter stands, Charlottetown, the capital of the Island. The last 
named river is navigable for large class vessels above the town, and takes its 
rise near St. Peter's Bay, on the opposite or northern coast. 

The only features worth noticing between this harbor and Bedeque Bay, 
are, Tryon cove, Cape Traverse, before referred to as the point from which 
the mails are carried during winter, and Carlton Head. Bedeque Bay has 
a depth of from five to seven fathoms of water, and will admit vessels of 
400 tons, but the channel is narrow and winding ; the stream falling into it, 
of which Dunk river is the principal, are not extensive, It is only four 
miles of a flat country between this bay and Richmond Bay on the opposite 
side of the island, so that a passage might be easily made for ships, which 
would be of no little importance to the Gulf trade. 

Egmont, or Halifax Bay, is a large estuary, with good anchorage in 
frcm six to seven fathoms water ; it is very shoal at the head. The mouths 
of Percival and Enmore rivers falling into it, are obstructed by sand bars. 
The surrounding country is very flat, and there are about 2,000 acres of 
marsh land in the vicinity. Cape Egmont lies to the south west of the 
harbor, and West Point and Cape Wolf to the north of it. 

From this cape to the northern extremity of the island, the shore presents 
rocky cliffs, does not vary much from a straight line, end is without har- 
bors. 

North Cape or Point, is the most northerly part of the island ; there 
are excellent fishing grounds in its vicinity. 

Holland Bay, or Cascumpeque Harbor, is the most western harbor on 
the north side of the Island. It has a bar with about eighteen feet of m ter 
at high tides, and there is a light house on a point near the channel. Sand 
hills extend nearly parallel to the shore off this harbor, and as far as Rich- 
mond Bay, at the distance of one and a half or two mi!"S : boats can pass the 
whole distance between these mounds and the coast ; and in many places, 
here are channels deep enough to admit vessels. The harbor and anchor- 



353 

age are good, and though the land is but little elevated above the tide water, 
large class vessels can lie alongside the wharf. 

Richmond, Bay or Malpeque, is a spacious harbor and bay with a depth 
of 17 feet water on the bar ; the sands forming it extend over a mile from 
the shore. Fishery Island is situate at the mouth of the Bay ; and forms 
two entrances, the eastern being the largest and best channel ; vessels may 
lie in this harbor in perfect safety. The village of St. Eleanor's is situate 
at the head of this Bay. 

Granville, Harris, Hannington, Bedford, and St. Peter's Bays, and 
Savage Harbor, are all bar harbors, and only accessible for small vessels ; 
St. Peter's Bay, which is a narrow indentation of the shore, being the only 
one in any way remarkable. The remaining part of this coast, until we 
arrive at East Cape, forms nearly a straight line, without any navigable in- 
lets. 

The east Cape forms the extremity of the island, and between it and 
Cardigan Bay or Three Rivers, are Colville, Fortune, Home, and Brovgh- 
ton Bays, all of which are shallow estuaries, capable only of admitting 
small sized fishing vessels. 

The entrance to Cardigan Bay has Broughton island on the east, and 
Panmure island on the west. The harbor is safe, spacious, and easy of ac- 
cess for whole fleets of large class vessels. Cardigan, Brudenell and Mon- 
tague Rivers have their outlets in this bay ; in the former there is from three 
to six fathoms of water, and in the two others from two to four fathoms. 
George Town stands on a peninsula formed by the junction of Cardigan and 
Brudenell Rivers, and is a place of some trade where large vessels can load 
or discharge their cargoes ; it is much resorted to by the American fisher- 
men. It has no bar, is the longest, open in the fall, and may be considered 
the best harbor in the island. 

Murray Harbor lies to the southward of Cardigan Bay, and close to the 
northward of Bear Cape ; it is studded with islands, and is narrow and 
difficult of access, with but two fathoms of water. Between this and Hills- 
borough Bay there are no harbors, but several reefs and rocks, which render 
this part of the coast dangerous to shipping. 

New Glasgow is a small harbor merely noticable in our survey of the 
coast. 

Though from the narrowness of Prince Edward Island, there are no river3 
of any magnitude, yet from its configuration, almost every section of the 
county is favorably situated for commerce, and the prosecution of the fish- 
eries, so much so that we know of no place in British North America pos- 
sessing greater advantages. 

The tides and currents are somewhat irregular ; the latter are often known 
to run for many days from west to east along the north shore, and vice versa, 
while the tide rises from three to five feet. These phenomena together with 
the storms prevalent in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are the cause of so many 
of the harbors, especially on the north side being so much obstructed by sand 
bars. 

HISTORY. 

Whether this island was actually vjcjited by Cabot or not, is a matter of 
some uncertainty. Some allege that this navigator discovered it on Saint 
John's day, in 1497, and that Veva.zzani subsequently re-di?covered it; 
neither of which, from the various accounts given of the courses pursued 

47 



354 

by these navigators, would appear to be correct. At this distant day, it may 
be difficult to settle this point ; but there is no doubt but that both England 
and France, claimed it by right of discovery, the latter calling it a part of 
ancient Acadia ; and as long as the French possessed Canada and Cape Bre- 
ton, they esteemed it as a source from whence they could derive supplies for 
their garrisons at Quebec and Louisburg, as well as on account of the valu- 
able fisheries on its coasts ; for these reasons it was termed the granary of 
North America. 

In 1663, the Island was granted to a Frenchman named Seuev Doublet ; 
and it afterwards became the rendezvous of a number of French families 
who were dissatisfied with the English rule. It was captured by the New 
England forces in 1745, but was restored to France by the Treaty of Aix 
la Chapelle; and after the second reduction of Louisburg in 1758 it became 
by treaty, permanently attached to Great Britain in 1763. At this period 
it was said to contain a population of from 4 to 6,000 inhabitants, who had 
large stocks of cattle, and some of them were reported to send 1200 bush- 
els of wheat to market. After the subjugation of the island to Great Bri- 
tain, these people continued disaffected to its government, in consequence of 
which they were doomed to the same proscription as their countrymen in 
Nova Scotia. Some were sent to Canada, and others to the old Colonies ; 
so that, in 1770, it is said that there were only 150 families on the island. 

In 1767, after numerous foolish and abortive plans had been proposed for 
its subdivision, disposal and settlement, one was ultimately determined on, 
which does not appear to have been much wiser in some of its provisions 
than these which were abandoned. About this time a division of the whole 
island was made into sixty seven townships or lots, of 20,000 acres each, 
comprizing 1,360 ; 000 acres. This extensive tract was conveyed, with the 
exception of some reservations, to officers, and other individuals, who had 
some claims, or supposed claims, on the Crown, by lottery. The grantees 
were bound to settle on the island and to introduce a certain number of set- 
tlers within ten years from that date. This allotment has no doubt been 
productive of some serious evils, which were probably not contemplated at 
the time the arrangement was made by the Imperial Government. 

An absentee ownership was thus in effect established on the island, as the 
condition of residence was fulfilled in but few instances ; and this, while it 
has had some good effects, has produced much evil. Several of the grantees 
have from time to time sent out colonists, and have otherwise promoted the 
settlement of the country — not however parting with the fee simple of the 
lands, except perhaps in some few instances, but granting leases varying as 
to time from 21 to 999 years, at reserved rents, according to the value and 
situation of the land. 

From lapse of time, most of these lots have changed hands, and the sys- 
tem of letting has been varied, that however generally pursued is to fix the 
term at 999 years, the first year, or oftener the two first, being rent free, 
for th6 2d and 3rd, or 3rd and fourth, three-pence per acre per annui 
paid ; for the two next six-pence ; for the 6th and 7th, or 7th and 8th, 
nine-pence ; and the full rent of one shilling per annum for the remainder 
of the town ; the tenant paying all taxes. In some townships a higher ul- 
timate rent is required ; and others refuse to grant long leases on any terms. 
while some make different arrangements for the disposal of their lands. The 
above scale may, however, be tajsen as the general rule, and in most cases, 
the tenant may redeem his rent,, and become pwner of the fee at twenty 



355 

years purchase of the rent. Where the situation possesses any peculiar ad- 
vantage, such as a site for a ship-yard, or where a town or village may be 
proposed, higher rents are asked and readily obtained. The taxes to which 
these island lands are subject, are, first, the land tax of two shillings and 
six-pence per one hundred acres on all improved lands, and five shillings on 
the same quantity of wilderness lands ; and secondly, an additional school 
tax of four shillings and two pence per 100 acres in all lands — making in 
the whole six shillings and eight-pence on cultivated, and nine shillings and 
two-pence on wild lands. 

There has been much discussion as to the comparative advantages or dis- 
advantages of the system thus pursued, with reference to the settlement of 
the country. Without entering into this question, we may observe that the 
emigrant of very small means may thus settle on a farm, without running 
into debt, and reserve his little capital for subsistence and the improvement 
of his lands where the rents are redeemable, he may acquire the fee simple 
as soon as he has the ability. The progress of the island, with regard to 
population and exportable produce, has been greater than that of either of 
the neighboring continental provinces, and this tends to shew that the objec- 
tions to the plan are not so important as many of its opponents contend. 
Absenteeism is, however, no doubt, a great evil to any country, especially 
to one poor and newly settled. 

Until 1770, this Island formed a part of Nova Scotia, at that- time Mr. 
Paterson was appointed its first governor; and in 1773 the first House of 
Assembly was called together. It differed but little, in its constitution, from 
that of the present day; except that, recently, what is called, "Govern- 
ment by heads of departments" has been adopted, making the ministry as 
well as the house, dependant on the will of the people, and coupling con- 
stitutional government on a small scale, with the landlord and tenant system. 
Previous to the representative plan being adopted, a number of the Aca- 
dians had returned, and many new settlements were formed. 

On the accession of General Fanning to the Governorship in 1789, con- 
tests arose between the proprietors and the settlers, which were ultimately 
settled, at least in a great measure, and the country has since been prosper- 
ous. 

Much inconvenience having arisen from this island bearing the same name 
with several other places in the circumjacent colonies, it was changed by 
legislative enactment, in 1799, to the name it now bears, in compliment to 
the late Duke of Kent. 

In addition to the accessions to its population by the return of many of 
the Acadians, and by small parties who emigrated about the same time, from 
the Highlands of Scotland, there was in 1803, a fresh impulse given to the 
colony by the Earl of Selkirk, who brought over and setttled about 800 
Highlanders, who under his judicious management, soon became very pros- 
perous. 

From this period, there is little worthy of notice in the history of the Is- 
land, except that great differences have arisen between the House of Assem- 
bly and the proprietors on the subject of escheats ; — the former contending 
that the terms of the original grants have not been strictly complied with, 
and that, thereupon, the grants have become forfeited ; and that as the Im- 
perial Government, in 1850, relinquished all their territorial rights to the 
Colonial Legislature, this right of escheat has passed to them. Attempts 
have been made to enforce it, but the Colonial Office having expressed a 



356 

strong opinion against the claims, they have been pretty nearly abandoned. 

Another important question has arisen from a clause in the original grants, 
reserving 500 feet for high water mark along the shores for the purposes of 
the fisheries. 

In testimony of the scientific attention paid to the surveys of the Island, 
and the accuracy of the instruments employed, provision has been made by 
legislative enactment (in 1809) for the establishment of a Meridinal line 
near Charlotte Town, by astronomical observation, marking it out by fixing 
three stones of sufficient height and dimensions, and at suitable distances 
apart, having the variation and year accurately engraved thereon ; and all 
surveyors are required once a year to regulate and rectify their instruments 
by this line, in the presence of the Surveyor General. And by 9th Vict, 
chap. 20, it is directed that a line shall be run in an east and west direc- 
tion, at right angles with the north and south line ; so that surveyors using 
the magnetic needle, are provided with every facility for testing the accuracy 
of their instruments. Thus this Colony is far ahead of its more populous 
and wealthy neighbors, with respect both to the location of its lands, which 
were originally laid out in a systematic manner, and the facilities for uni- 
formity in its surveys. 

The Government of the Island have, in 1854, purchased 80,000 acres of 
land, at the price of £24, 000 currency, around St. Peter's Bay in the 
County of King's ; which they propose selling in small lots to purchasers, 
at from five shillings to twelve shillings and six-pence, currency, per acre ; 
twenty per cent, to be paid down, and the remainder by instalments bearing 
interest, 

CIVIL DIVISIONS, AND POLITICAL DEPARTMENT. 

Prince Edward Island has a population of about 70.000, and is divided 
into three counties, called Prince County, Queen's County, and King's 
County ; each of which is sub-divided into parishes, besides the more recent 
distribution into electoral districts. 

Prince County is situate in the north-western section of the colony, 
bounded by a line running across the Island, from near Crapaud to the east- 
ern side of Richmond Bay. The shire-town of this county is Prince Town, 
though St. Eleanor's is the actual capital. 

Queen 1 s County is bounded on the west by Prince County, and on the 
east by King's, from which it is divided by a line running from near the 
Wood Islands to the easterly side of St. Peter's harbor, being the central 
county, and having Charlotte Town for its capital. 

King's County is situate on the east end of the Island ; its capital is 
George Town. 

Note. — The two lines separating these counties are projected from the 
Straits of Northumberland to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

The several counties are divided into parishes, lots or townships, and elec- 
toral districts. 



357 



Parishes. 



County. 



Electoral Districts. 



North Parish. 



Egmont, 



Halifax. 



Richmond. 



St. David's. 



District No. 1, including Sa- 
vage Island, returns two 
members. 



District No. 2, with the is- 
lands in Richmond Bay, 
returns two members. 



District No. 3, including In- 
dian Island, returns two 
members. 



Granville Parish. 



Charlotte. 



Hillsborough. 



Bedford. 



St. John. 



District No. 1, including Pe- 
ter's Island, sends two 
members. 



Prince Town Royalty sends two members. 

Thus this county is divided into five parishes and four electoral districts 
including Prince Town, and sends eight members to the Legislature. 

Queen's County. 
20 
21 
22 
23 
67 
24 ' 
33 
34 
32 
29 
30 
31 
65 
33 
36 
37 
48 
49 
50 
57 
58 
60 



District No. 2, and the adja- 
cent island, returns two 
members. 



District No. 3, with Gover- 
nor's Island, returns two 
members. 



358 



Charlotte Town Royalty elects two members. 

The county also contains five parishes, and, with Charlotte Town, four 
electoral districts, returning eight members to the House of Assembly. 

King's County. 



East Parish. 



St. Patrick's. 



St. George. 



St. Andrew's. 



43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
56 
55 
54 
53 
52 
51 

m 

59 
61 
63 
64 



! 



\ District No. 1 sends two members. 



District No. 2 and Broughton Is- 
land sends two members. 



District No. 3, including the is- 
lands in Murray harbor and 
Panmure Island, sends two 
members. 



George Town Royalty elects two members. 

This county contains four parishes, with George Town, four electoral dis- 
tricts, and also returns eight representatives. 

The sub-divisions of the whole Island are fourteen parishes, twelve elec- 
toral districts ; and the House of Assembly consists of twenty-four represen- 
tatives. 

Note. — The parishes are not much referred to by the inhabitants, except 
in judiciary matters. The several localities are more generally distinguish- 
ed by lots — as lot, 1, 2, &c. 

Having thus given, in connection with the civil divisions, the electoral 
districts, and the number of members returned by each, we will proceed to 
lay before our readers an outline of the other departments. 

Governors, and Administrators of the Government, since 1770. 



1770— W. Paterson 
1789— E. Fanning. 
1805^— Major Desbarres. 
1813— Col. D. Smith. 
1823— Lieut. Col. Ready. 
1831— Lieut. Col. Sir A. Young 



1836— Sir John Harvey. 
183 T— Sir C. A. Fitzroy. 
1841— Sir H. V. Huntley, R. N. 
1847— Sir Donald Campbell. 
1851 — Sir Alexr. Bannerman. 
1854— Sir Dominic Daly. 

The Executive and Legislative Councils each consist of nine members. 
As the respective duties of the members, as well as those of the different 
heads of departments, do not differ from those in the other colonies, the 
reader is referred to the article entitled " Political Department," in page 22 
of this work. 



359 

Courts. — There are regular sittings of the Supreme Court held in the 
shire-towns. The Court of Chancery is still retained, though recently 
abolished by Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where its powers and duties 
have been handed over to the Equity side of the Supreme Court. The is- 
land has all the courts peculiar to Colonial Government, but differs from its 
continental neighbors with regard to the mode of recovering small debts. For 
this purpose, district courts are established, presided over by commissioners, 
with a clerk to each court. For instance, in Queen's county there are seven 
courts, namely — one at Charlotte Town, with four commissioners : others at 
Rustico, New London, Crapaud, Stanhope, and Belfast, and one comprising 
lots 48, 49 and 50. In this county, there are eighty-six justices of the 
peace. The other two counties are divided in the same manner ; King's has 
six places, in each of which commissioners sit, attended by their clerk, and 
sixty justices. Prince county has also six commissioners' courts, and twelve 
justices. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

In contrasting the physical features of Prince Edward Island with those 
of Cape Breton, the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia on the Bay of Fundy 
shore of New Brunswick, it may be said to be a flat country, resembling 
that part of New Brunswick bordering on the Gulf. Still there are some 
hills, rising with gentle slopes, to the height of from 250 to 300 feet ; and 
there are several ridges of moderately elevated land, extending through the 
more central divisions of the island ; the rivers and streams in some places 
flow in deep ravines, but no where so abrupt as to preclude cultivation. The 
land between Charlottetown and Bedeque is somewhat hilly, but north to 
to Egmont and Richmond Bays it is very flat. 

Though there are none of those lofty cone-like elevations which stud many 
parts of the continent, yet the greater part of the island is beautifully varied 
with undulating hills, winding vallies, and innumerable bays, rivers, or creeks, 
and small lakes or lagoons, with springs, affording an abundance of excellent 
water. Several of the streams are bordered near their entrance into the 
sea, with tracts of salt marsh, or deposites of marine and upland alluvium : 
there are numerous small peat bogs on the island, the largest is near Cas- 
cumpeque ; these will become very useful hereafter by affording a supply of 
fuel, when the beautiful forests now clotting a large portion of the country, 
shall have given place to the plough ; they might also be made available as 
a valuable source of manure. 

The Foi^est Trees of the island are similar to those of the neighboring 
continent, consisting principally of maples, beech, birches, poplars, larch, 
spruce, cedar, hemlock, fir, and other kinds of trees, besides great varieties 
of shrubs, &c. Repeated fires, as well as the operations of the shipbuilder 
and lumberman, have made great havoc among the woods, and the time is 
less distant in this than with regard to either of the neighboring colonies, 
when the forests of the country will cease to supply its own wants. Indeed 
the soil of this island is too well calculated for the growth of agricultural 
produce for it to be allowed to remain much longer covered with its primeval 
forests ; and when they cease to supply fuel, ship-timber, or lumber, the 
surrounding colonies will have abundance of coal and timber to meet these 
wants, and they will be glad to take the wheat, oats, and other grains for 
which its &y&b!s lauds &r© go highly famed. It U estimrttfl that Aw-fowtlw 



360 

of the area of the island are capable of profitable cultivation the amount of 
which will be 1,023,050 acres. 

Estimated quantity improved and partially cultivated 

in 1855, 300,000 " 

Number still unimproved, 723,050 " 

Roads. — The surface of the island being generally even, and the soil dry 
and silicious, in some places intermixt with sand and gravel, there is every 
facility for constructing good roads. 

Originally, the principal roads of the island were laid out in straight line, 
parallel with those of the townships ; but as they were not all constructed at 
that time, departures from these lines have since taken place ; and in conse- 
quence of the more hilly character of Queen's and some part of King's, the 
roads are there more uneven than in the other sections of the island, but 
Prince County is very level, and with the exception of the curves rendered 
necessary by the rivers and the shore, is well calculated for road making. 
A little good engineering would be of incalculable benefit applied to the lo- 
cation of some of the roads traversing the more uneven districts, for in many 
instances, where they now pass over the hills, a practical engineer would 
easily avoid them, without adding much to the distance, while much labor 
and time would thus be saved to the traveller. 

The roads and bridges are kept in repair both by statute labor and legis- 
lative grants. The Statute labor consists in an obligation on every person 
from sixteen to sixty years of age, when required by law to work thirty- 
two hours on the roads, and eight hours for each horse, annually. This la- 
bour, however, may be commuted for a money payment. 

Legislative Grants. — The Government of the colony annually grants mo- 
ney, according to the necessity of each case, and the amount of disposable re- 
venue, for the purpose of perfecting the road communications. The amount 
thus appropriated in 1854, was £8,133 currency. To regulate the expen- 
diture of which the island is divided into about thirty districts, for each of 
which a commissioner is appointed, with a salary of £10 per annum. The 
outlay on these improvements considerably exceed that on other public works 
in consequence of the numberless streams by which the country is traversed, 
and which require expensive bridges ;' one has lately been built across Mill 
River, emptying into Granville Bay, a quarter of a mile in length ; it is an 
excellent and convenient structure, and cost £1,200. Another very good 
one crosses a river of the same name near Cascumpeque, and one is pro- 
jected over Ellis, or Grand River, falling into Richmond Bay. 

The system of laying out the wilderness lands, though much superior to 
that no system which exists in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick,. is still lia- 
ble to some objections ; the lots being 100 chains by ten are disproportion- 
ately narrow ; but the regularity thus secured has clone much to secure the 
systematic location of most of the principal roads. 

Upon the whole, the highways of the colony are not inferior to these of 
any new country. In addition to the extensive water communications which 
intersect the whole island, the sea coast is belted by tolerably good roads, 
besides some main roads, such as the western road, running through the in- 
terior, and these are intersected and connected by cross roads diverging to 
every important settlement, so that it would be difficult to find a spot on the 
whole island more than five miles from a road. 

As the bye-roads are too numerous to mention, the following distances 
will assist the traveller, to some extent ; 



361 

From Charlotte Town to St. Eleanor's, 40 miles. 

Tigrish, 94 " 

The latter place is nearly the north-western extremity of the island, pass- 
ing, in one direction, by the Grand river settlements and Port Hill ; and in 
the other, along the western road, comparatively unsettled. 

From Charlotte Town to George Town, 30 miles. 

'« George Town to East Cape, 40 " 

The distance of 70 miles thus brings us, in this direction, to the most 
eastern point opposite Cape Breton. 

Settlements. — -The road from Charlotte Town to St. Peter's passes over 
large tracts of excellent land, and through some of the oldest settlements 
on the island, in lot 34, but about half-way there is some poor land. From 
St. Peter's to East Cape, the land is flat ; but around the Cape it is more 
hilly and broken, though not so much so as to prevent cultivation. The 
streams on this road are all bridged. This part of the coast is destitute of 
harbors. From this Cape to George Town, the shore is indented with good 
harbors, and the country penetrated by a number of streams, affording good 
facilities for the fisheries ; the country is well settled. 

There are many villages and settlements both on the coast and in the in- 
terior of King's county, of which George Town is the capital. It has great 
advantages of situation at the confluence of Cardigan and Brudenell rivers, 
and from Montague river falling into the Bay, it is often called Three Rivers. 
The town plot is somewhat undulating, and is well laid out, with a square 
in the centre. It contains places of worship belonging to the Episcopal, 
Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Methodist denominations j as well as 
a court house, gaol, market house, and other public buildings. The private 
houses are neat, and the country round fertile, and in many places well cul- 
tivated. The harbor might become the rendezvous of a fleet, and it is not 
uncommon for 200 American vessels to take refuge there during a storm. 
The settlements along the road from George Town to Charlotte Town are 
fast improving, and the soil is good ; but Hillsborough river, near the capi- 
tal, has to be crossed by a ferry, rendering travelling in this direction some- 
what inconvenient during the summer, though the accommodation is general- 
ly good, and winter, of course, never fails to provide a sufficient bridge as 
long as it lasts. 

Queen's County boasts Charlotte Town as its shire-town, which contains 
about 6,000 inhabitants. It is pleasantly situate on the acclivity of a hill, 
on the north side of the harbor. The streets, which run east and west, and 
north and south, have most of their terminations at the edge of the water. 
There are five squares in the town. The Province Building, which is built 
of stone imported from Nova Scotia, stands in Queen's Square ; it contains 
the legislative halls, and offices for the principal heads of departments ; also 
a room for his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, in which he may be 
seen on matters of business, at stated times. 

Government House is beautifully situate at the west end of the town. In 
addition to a great number of public and private edifices, there is a central 
academy with three masters, and places of worship belonging to the Epis- 
copalians, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Methodists and Baptists j also, 
an Asylum, Mechanics' Institute, and various other neat buildings. The 
town has lately been incorporated by Act of Assembly. The Ro- 
man Catholic College stands about half a mile from the town; it is a 
neat building, three stories in height. There are many excellent roads lead- 
48 



362 

ing to all parts of the surrounding country ; the whole surrounding scenery 
is beautiful, possessing a wholesome, bracing sea air, said to be well calcu- 
lated to invigorate a weakly constitution. 

The road from Charlotte Town to Prince Town, on Richmond Bay, is 
well settled. The New London, Glasgow and Cavendish settlements are in 
a thriving state, and the land is generally good. 

St. Eleanor's, the actual capital of Prince county, is situate at the junc- 
tion of two roads, on the isthmus formed by Bedeque and Richmond Bays. 
It is built on a flat, and has a neat appearance ; it contains the principal 
part of the public buildings of the county, and places of worship belonging 
to different denominations. This place, however, is being rivalled by Sum- 
merside, a flourishing village on Bedeque Bay, about a mile from St. Elea- 
nor's ; it may probably, ere long, become the head quarters of the county. 

The land about Bedeque harbor is very fertile, and well diversified with 
villages, settlements, and other improvements. A constant summer com- 
munication is kept up by packets between this port, and Miramichi, Richi- 
bucto, Shediac, and other places on the coast of New Brunswick. The rail- 
way now in course of construction between Shediac and Saint John, N. B., 
will, when completed, add greatly to the trade of Bedeque, from which its 
terminus, at the former place, is distant only a few hours' sail, as well as to 
that of the whole island. From Bedeque to Charlotte Town, by the way 
of Try on, the land is good and well settled. 

Though there is a considerable quantity of poor land skirting the coast 
from Richmond Bay to the North Cape, yet there are some large tracts of 
good soil in this district, and many thriving settlements, especially at Port 
Hill and round Cascumpeque Bay. The sand hills, which have been thrown 
up outside by the action of the waves, protect the coast, and there are in 
many places deep water, and good harbors within them. The boggy tract 
near Cascumpeque consists of a buried forest, which will hereafter be useful 
both for fuel and manure Both these bays are advantageously situated for 
the prosecution of ihe fisheries on a grand scale. There are some small es- 
tablishments, at present, on different points, which succeed well in this im- 
portant business, and one at Cascumpeque point, on a more extensive scale. 

The north-western lots are principally settled by the descendants of the 
Acadians, with some Irish, and a sprinkling of the Scotch. They form the 
best wheat-growing district on the island, and are much wanting both in 
roads and inhabitants, though the land is of the best quality for settlement. 
Kildare settlement, especially, comprizes a fine tract, yielding to no part of 
British America in fertility. 

The reader must not suppose that we have referred to all the settlements 
and roads of this fine and populous island. This is far from being the case : 
and this chapter would very much exceed its intended limits, if we were to 
detail all the extensive improvements the colony can boasc, although in size 
it does not equal the county of Northumberland, in New Brunswick, which 
possesses only 20,000 inhabitants. 

The island, from its narrowness, may be said to be all front, on which its 
best lands are situate, From this circumstance, in addition to its navigable 
bays and streams, and the roads that have been opened, its facilities for 
tlement arc very great. And nature annually converts, for a season, its 
seaboard and rivers into one extensive bridge able to carry the heaviest bur- 
thens with thb greatest safety, and to render the transit of it3 produce to 
market easy and expeditious. Its shores are supplied with much marine 



363 

alluvium of a good quality, and easy of access ; so that when the soil be- 
come exhausted the means to retrieve it by manure are at hand. Probably 
there is no place where the poor man could settle himself to greater advan- 
tage on this continent whenever he can make a fair bargain with the proprie- 
tors, securing his land at a moderate payment, and with the privilege of 
some day making it his own. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate of Prince Edward Island differs but little from that of the 
principal part of Nova Scotia, or of New Brunswick. The winters are not 
so severe as those of Lower Canada, and are both shorter and milder than 
those of Norway, Denmark, Russia, or Sweden. The thermometer stands 
sometimes as low as 25, and at others as high as 85, but these extremes are 
of short duration. 

There are no endemical diseases peculiar to the Island. The sea breezes 
which penetrate all parts of it are invigorating and wholesome, and are un- 
accompanied by fogs of any kind. Few epidemical diseases ever visit it. 
Even the cholera, which was inflicted on nearly all the Atlantic coast of 
America, has as yet been unknown here. Nothing can be more bracing 
than the autumnal air which prevails during its season on all the borders of 
the Northumberland Straits and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

GEOLOGY. 

It is now generally admitted that more depends upon the geological for- 
mation of a country than upon its climate. 

The island, it is said, does not contain coal, or any workable deposit of 
other minerals worthy of notice ; but this has often been said of countries 
or districts in which valuable minerals have afterwards been discovered. 

In 1844, a geological exploration was made by Dr. Gesner under the di- 
rection of the Government ; but from ' the limited amount of means appro- 
priated for this purpose, only £300, it could not have been more than ca- 
sual and superficial. It appears that the red and grey sandstones, but prin- 
cipally the former, comprize the greater part of the island formation. Coal 
has not been discovered, but limestone, much of it of an impure quality, has 
been found in several parts of the coast, and on the banks of some of the 
streams. The other rocks and minerals collected by the Doctor, and de- 
posited by him in the legislative library of the island, are as follows : — Sul- 
phate of barytes, copper ore, black oxide of manganese, hydrous peroxide of 
iron ore, or bog iron ore, red and white marl, grey sandstone, red sandstone, 
trap rock, and various other substances of no commercial value. 

From an analysis of the soil taken from five different parts of the island, 
the Doctor found each specimen to consist principally of silica, or fine sili- 
cious sand, vegetable or organic matter and alumina. The result of these 
analizations fully shew that the soil is rich in vegetable matter and well cal- 
culated for the production of the different kinds of grain usually grown in 
the country. This report contains much valuable information, highly use- 
ful, (if its recommendations were put in practice) to the farmers of the is- 
land. It places in a practical point of view, how numerous and varied are 
the means at command for fertilizing the soil and how necessary it is to ap- 
ply them. 



364 

AGRICULTURE. 

This sabject, which is so intimately connected both with climate and geo- 
logy, but especially with the latter, deserves the highest attention ; to neg- 
lect it, in a country whose soil is so rich, is not only impolitic but betrays an 
unwillingness to appreciate the advantages which Providence has bestowed 
upon the inhabitants. 

The character of the island, in an agricultural point of view, is not ex- 
ceeded by any spot of equal extent in America. The soil possesses a pecu- 
liar fertility, so much so, that, even in the present defectible state of its 
agriculture, it produces abundance for home consumption, and ex- 
ports large quantities of wheat, oats, barlgy, potatos, grass, seeds, 
and other productions. Oats especially, are cultivated in great abun- 
dance, and large quantities are annually sent to the neighboring colonies, 
and to the United States, where they command good prices. 

The island possesses a large per centage of soil capable of cultivation, 
every acre of which- should be tilled, and made productive. The surface 
soil rests immediately upon the red sandstone and is composed almost entire- 
ly of the debris from the rocks ; whether they belong to the old or new red 
sand stone formation is immaterial as far as the productiveness of the soil is 
concerned, though important as regards the existence and discovery of coal. 

The general dryness of the soil renders it highly fit for the production ot 
grain, though not so well adapted for hay as the extensive alluvium which 
every where abound in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 

Besides the staple productions we have noticed above, there are annually 
raised large quantities of turnips, peas, beans, cabbages, carrots, beets, pars- 
nips, cucumbers, lettices, cherries, plums, apples, gooseberries, strawberries, 
raspberries, and every variety of garden vegetables and other productions 
grown in North America. To the growth of turnips in particular great at- 
tention has recently been paid with the best results. The soil of the island 
has also been found to be highly favorable to the culture of fruit, especially 
of apples. 

The question as to the number of inhabitants this island would sustain, 
in ordinary seasons, if cleared of its forests, and brought into a good state 
of cultivation, is somewhat difficult to answer ; but from its known produc- 
tiveness, and the large amount of population it supports at present, besides 
the large quantities of produce annually exported, we may fairly infer that 
not less than 1,000,000 of persons would, under such circumstances, be 
easily sustained : and if the calculations made by Professor Johnston with 
regard to the population, sustaining character of New Brunswisk be correct, 
this island, although it is only one-tenth of the size of that Province, would 
from the superior character of a large portion of its soil, exceed that num- 
ber; and this is entirely exclusive of the means of support its fisheries 
would afford. From its proximity to the coal fields of Nova Scotia, and the 
number of peat bays on the island, no disadvantage would arise from the 
want of fuel, but a great impetus would be given to commerce by the trade 
in both these articles. 

Within the last five years, the subject of agriculture has received a large 
amount of attention, both among the people generally and also from ama- 
teur farmers, of which there are several who continue to set examples well 
worthy of imitation. In fact, the whole subject has recently been carefully 
entered into, both scientifically, by many of the leading men of the island, 



365 

among whom none ranks more highly than Judge Peters. This gentleman, 
in 1851, published a pamphlet, consisting of 78 pages, on the agriculture 
of the island, of which 10,000 copies were circulated by means of the 
agricultural societies and schools. The subject of manure is well treated. 
The judge shews the value and variety of the means within the reach of 
most of the farmers to make composts and to save manures, an important 
branch of the agriculturists' duty. The culture and rotation of crops, with 
many recommendations as to farming in general, are laid down in such a 
practical manner, that any one, however limited his knowledge may be, may 
follow the directions. .With reference to the character of the subsoil, and 
want of system in farming among many, much may be drawn from the fol- 
lowing remarks, page 54 : — " There can be no doubt that the shallow plough- 
ing generally adopted in this island is a most erroneous practice. There 
may be some cases where the vegetable soil is very shallow, and rests on 
gravel or sand, where the farmer cannot plough deep without injury ; but 
most of the soils of this island may be ploughed eight or nine inches deep 
with the greatest advantage. Take most of the worn out lands of the island 
and plough them with a furrow of six honest inches deep, and they will at once 
yield a better crop than they have given for the last ten or fifteen years, be- 
cause the soil which would then be brought up to the surface has not been 
exhausted." The Inspector of Schools is employed to deliver lectures on 
agricultural chemistry, throughout the island, which is of vast importance 
to its farming interests. 

One of the strongest stimulants to the improvement of the island farming has 
been applied to it within the last few years by means of the " Eoyal Agricul- 
tural Society/' and its numerous branches scattered throughout the country. 

The general usefulness produced by this society will be best understood 
from the following extract from page 3, of its report for 1852 : — " Through 
its (the Society's) instrumentality, a great stimulus has been given to agri- 
cultural improvement. Turnip culture, the great basis of successful farm- . 
ing, a few years since almost unknown, is now becoming general. Great at- 
tention is beginning to be displayed in collecting and saving manures ; stock 
of improved kind are early sought after, while an increased demand for 
agricultural publications, a spirit of emulation amongst the farmers, and the 
desire now generally evinced by them to improve in their art, prove the in- 
fluence of the Society to have been as beneficial as the attempt to introduce 
it was successful. 

This Society continues its usefulness by holding annually an Industrial 
Exhibition at Charlottetown, where a complete agricultural panorama of the 
island is exhibited. It receives annually from the legislature the sum of 
five hundred pounds, on condition that there is an equal amount contributed 
by private individuals. 

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 

Acres of land cleared in 

182T. 1833. 1841. 1848. 

59,909 94,630 141.580 215,389 

From this ratio of increase, and from the great stimulus recently given 

to agricultural improvement, we may infer that the gross amount of cleared 

land, in 1855, will not fall far short of 300,000 acres, nearly one-fourth of 

the area of the colony. 



366 







FarmtJig Slock. 








1827. 


1833. 


1841. 


1848. 


Horses, 


3,977 


6,299 


9,871 


12,845 


Neat cattle, 


22,925 


30,428 


42,414 


49,310 


Sheep, 


39,859 


50,510 


73,642 


92,785 


Swine, 


21,531 


20,702 


35,522 


19,863 



The geological character of the island soil is peculiarly adapted for the 
rearing horses and sheep. Its pasturage, though not so luxuriant as that 
of the neighboring colonies, is both rich and wholesome, and seems admira- 
bly calculated for the health and well-being of animals of this description. 
It is said, too, that no noxious exhalations arise from its soil ; and the ap- 
pearance of the stock fully justifies this opinion. I'rom the port of Be- 
deque alone, there were shipped, in 1852, horses to the value of <£7,242 
sterling; and in 1853, the number sold from the same port were 332, valued 
at £7,769 sterling. 

Grai?t, and other agricultural productions. 





1833. 


1841. 


1848. 


Wheat, bushels, 


128,350 


153,570 


219,787 


Barley, c ' 


38,850 


83,299 


75.521 


Oats, " 


261,664 


611,844 


746,383 


Potatoes, " 


1,310,053 


2,230,114 


731,575 


Turnips, " 






154,000 


Other roots, 






153.933 



The average crop of wheat is about 15 bushels per acre ; oats, 30 bush- 
els ; Swedish turnips, about 800 ; frequently, 1200 bushels, or 30 tons of 
the latter, have been produced on an acre. 

These tables shew the effects of the potato disease, as well in the small 
quantity raised, as in the falling off in the number of swine. However, 
this disease is yearly becoming less, and great attention is again being paid 
to the production of this valuable esculent, for the production of which this 
island has been so justly famed. 

Some particulars as to the export of the leading articles of agricultural 
produce will be found under the head of exports and imports. 

PROGRESSIVE POPULATION. 

In 1797, there were 3,567 inhabitants, by estimation. 

" 1827, " 23,266 " by census. 

" 1833, " 32,294 

" 1841, " 47,033 

" 1848, " 62,678 

" 1855, at least 75,000 " by estimation. 

The emigration to, and departures from the island, for the last few years, 
have been about equal ; still, the population has almost doubled itself with- 
in the t ixteen years previous to 1848. 

EDUCATION. 

This has always been a favorite subject with the island Legislature, and 
there have been successive enactments to promote it too numerous to detail ; 
but the educational plan appears at last to have resolved itself into what may 



367 

be called a Free School System, the people paying, in a great measure, for 
its support by a tax on land. 

This system compels the absentee land-holders to assist in supporting the 
schools, as well as those who are actually in possession. There is a tax of 
five shillings per one hundred acres on all wilderness land, and half this 
amount on cultivated land, with a proportionate rate on town and water lots. 
In addition to this, the inhabitants have to provide school houses, and are as- 
sessed for books and fuel. The Government pay to male teachers of the 
first class £55, currency, per annum, and to those of the second £50. Fe- 
male teachers are paid £80 per annum. The balance required for the sup- 
port of the schools, beyond the amount raised by the land tax, is paid out 
of the general revenue of the Colony, and if any district requires a superior 
school, the inhabitants Lave to furnish the additional means required for its 
support. 

There is a Board of Education, by whom all teachers are examined and 
licensed. For these purposes, the island is divided into school districts, the 
boundaries of which are registered by the Board, and the school houses 
must not be nearer than three miles to each other ; an Inspector visits all 
the schools periodically, and reports their state to the Board. In consequence 
of the increased desire recently manifested for education, and the wish to 
secure good teachers, the inhabitants have, in many instances, boarded the 
teachers in addition to the government allowance. 

Number of schools in the following years :— 

1841. 1848. 1854. 

116 182 231. 

Thirteen Acadian French Schools are included in the returns for 1854. 

The number of pupils in the last year was 9,922, being 5,564 boys and 
4,358 girls. The expense of supporting these schools was £9,638 currency. 

By a comparative review of the school statistics of Nova Scotia, New 
Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, it will be seen that the latter sends 
one third more children to school, in proportion to its population", than either 
of the two former. This fact tends to prove the superiority of the island 
system, over those of the other two colonies, and perhaps more strongly, 
the greater interest in education taken by the people. 

The following extract from a lecture delivered in the Mechanics' Institute 
at Charlottetown, by John A. Stark, Esq., Inspector of Schools, in the year 
1855, in the presence of a large audience, shews the enlightened views en- 
tertained by that gentleman on this importrnt subject, at least as far as this 
island is concerned: — "An educational machinery," the lecturer observes, 
" has been set in motion, admirable in many of its external provisions. There 
are upwards of 260 schools, in which from eleven to twelve thousand chil- 
dren are in attendance. An excellent series of school books has also been 
provided, but one thing is yet lacking. The great increase in the number 
of schools, the large proportion of the revenue voted for education will never 
improve and elevate the education of the people, unless the standard of qua- 
lification for the teacher be raised, and a provision made for his special train- 
ing, in the art of communicating. But I would indulge the hope that, ere 
long, there will not only be a Normal School established, but that every 
school will be provided with a play-ground, or uncovered school morn,, for 
the children, and a house and garden for the teacher. When this is accom- 
plished, Prince Edward Island will be a model and example to the North 
American Colonies." 



368 

Central Academy. — This institution, the only one of this nature on the 
island, is situate at Charlottetown, being nearly its centre. It is under the 
patronage of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, and the Chief Jus- 
tice, President of the Legislative Council, and Speaker of the House of 
Assembly, are ex officio trustees and governors ; there are besides others ap- 
pointed by the Government. It is conducted by three masters, who teach 
the classics and the higher branches of mathematics ; it is supported partly 
by Government and partly by fees from the scholars, and is the only public 
educational establishment which is not entirely free. The number of scho- 
lars varies from 100 to 120. There is also St. Andreitfs College, a Ro- 
man Catholic Seminary. 

Charlottetown also contains a Juvenile School, Scientific, Literary, Bene- 
volent, Bible and Missionary Societies, some of which have branches in dif- 
ferent parts of the island, and much good is derived from their exertions. 

Literature. — From the recent improvements in the educational system, a 
considerable impulse has been given to intellectual research. In addition to 
some periodical and miscellaneous works published on the island, there is a 
great importation, both of school books and general literature, containing much 
varied information. There is a very good subscription library at Charlotte- 
town, and from the circumstance of many persons of wealth and literary 
taste from the mother country having taken up their residence at that place, 
giving its society a European air, its literature has fully kept pace with 
other places on this part of the American continent. 

The papers published are the Royal Gazette, Haszard's Gazette, the Islan- 
der, the Examiner, and Advertiser. 

Religious Denominations, and Places of Worship. —In 1841, there 
were 75 places of worship in the island ; in 1748, there were 109. The 
number of clergymen in 1855, were, Church of England 10 ; Presbyterian 
11; Roman Catholic 10; Methodist 15 ; Baptist 2; other denominations 
5 ; making a total of 53 clergymen scattered over the island. 

POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS, AND MEANS OF TRANSIT. 

There is a general Post Office Office Department established at Charlotte- 
town, and upwards of forty post or way offices in various places. The rates 
of postage, on all dispatches to or from the island being three-pence, are the 
same with those charged in the other North American Colonies ; while the 
internal rate, on letters passing within the island, is two-pence per half 
ounce. 

From the position of the island, and the severity of the climate, there will 
always be an uncertainty and some difficulty in keeping up a regular postal 
communication between it and the continent. During the summer, for six 
months at least, the mails are carried to and fro, twice a week, by steam- 
boat, by way of Pictou, a distance of forty miles. It would, however, be a 
great improvement if the mail bags were sent by a steamer of light draft 
from Charlottetown to Bay Verte, and forwarded from thence either to 
Amherst, Nova Scotia, or to Sackville, New Brunswick, (18 miles) to meet 
the mails running between Halifax and Saint John. The distance by sea, 
from Charlottetown, is somewhat less to Bay Verte than to Pictou, and a 
land carriage of 70 miles would be saved in the transmission of the western 
mails, there, for New Brunswick, Canada, and the States, which are the 
most important to the island. It is true that, as regards the Halifax mails, 



369 

the distance would be increased by about 50 miles : but this would be made 
up, in a great measure, by the saving of time in the western transit ; and 
as soon as the railroad to Windsor is opened, a summer route will, no doubt, 
be established, crossing to Parrsborough by steamer, and running from thence 
to Amherst, which will make it more expeditious than the present route. 

In the winter, the bags are carried twice a week from Cape Traverse to 
Cape Tormentine, the most eastern point of New Brunswick, about nine 
miles, and are conveyed from thence to Amherst. 

We have before observed upon the great difficulty and hazard with which 
the conveyance of the mails by this, the only route open during the winter, 
is attended ; but the importance of the subject to the inhabitants of the is- 
land is so great, that we shall perhaps be excused for recurring to it. The 
ice, for some distance from the shores, i3 generally smooth after the frost 
has thoroughly set in ; while in the centre of the straits, it forms, at one 
time, a succession of mountains — at others, it consists of snow mixed with 
small particles of ice ; the whole impelled by strong tides, and frequently 
by high winds, across the intended path of the mail carriers. Occasionally, 
and according to the state of the weather, much of the intermediate space, 
between the more permanent and smooth ice, on each shore, consists of near- 
ly clear water. Sudden and violent snow storms often arise, while the fee- 
ble boat is engaged in passing this part of the gulf. 

During the winter of 1854-5, the mail boat, in endeavoring to effect a 
passage, got into the midst of masses of floating ice, and could not work 
her way to either shore ; a violent snow storm, accompanied with wind, 
arose, and she was driven for a distance of forty miles in the direction of 
Pictou. After four days' exposure to the storm and to piercing cold, the 
crew succeeded in landing at Wallace. The result of this melancholy oc- 
currence was the death of one of the passengers from starvation, and con- 
sequent exhaustion ; and several of the tothers were so seriously frozen that 
amputation of the legs of one, and part of the feet and toes of others, was 
rendered necessary. 

Numerous other cases of suffering have, from time to time, arisen out of 
this hazardous service ; but, strange to say, no attempt has yet been made 
to mitigate these evils. We hope, however, that the importance of this is- 
land colony, and the increasing number of passengers who are compelled by 
business to cross the straits during the winter, will arouse the attention of 
the public to the best mode of preventing such heart-rending occurrences. 

We make the following suggestions as tending to lessen the dangers of the 
passage : 

1st. That a fog-bell be erected on Cape Traverse, and another on Cape 
Tormentine, in addition to the proposed light house ; both of which would 
be of great service, during a snow storm, to denote the position of the shore. 

2nd, That a better kind of boats be provided, to be constructed on scien- 
tific principles, so as to combine strength, lightness, buoyancy, and such a 
model as will constitute them good sea boats, with the best accommodations 
possible under the circumstances ; perhaps a premium for the best model or 
drawing might be advisable. 

3rd. That every boat carry a ship's compass. 

4th. That no boat be allowed to start from either shore, without at least 
three days' provision for the passengers and crew, nor without some spare 
warm clothing, especially for the feet. 

u, Probably, if this precaution had been adopted on the melancholy occasion 

49 



370 

we have just referred to, the party would not have been driven to attempt 
to satisfy their hunger and thirst by the blood and flesh of a dog, the only 
animal on board ; and notwithstanding this disgusting expedient, one life, at 
least, was lost. Men can support much cold and fatigue, if they are well 
supplied with food and warm clothing. 

A ^oint committee should be appointed by Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, 
and x'rince Edwa d Island, who should report to each of the^e Governments 
respecting this service ; stating how it might be improved, and performed 
more efficiently and safely. Competent and experienced men should be se- 
lected for mail carriers, who should be well remunerated for the performance 
of the duty. 

LIGHT HOUSES. 

Additional light house accommodation is much wanted on the coast of 
Prince Edward Island, and indeed on the whole of the Northumberland 
Straits. A light on Cape Tormentine, and another on Cape Traverse, would 
be of incalculable advantage to the passing shipping, especially as regards 
the shoals extending from the former Cape ; and these would, no doubt, pre- 
vent, in future, the recurrence of such disasters at this spot, as have charac- 
terized the past. 

There are only four light houses ; properly so called, on the island : one 
at Point Prim, Charlotte Town ; one on Panmure Island ; one at Richmond 
Bay ; and another at Cascumpeque. 

Besides these, there are several temporary lights, which are hoisted on 
wooden frame- works, at Charlotte Town, Bedeque, and other places, during 
the summer. 

FISHERIES. 

Though there are few localities in the whole of North America where 
this branch of industry could be more advantageously carried on, yet these 
facilities are not made available to any great extent. The citizens of the 
Unite;! States,, however, have not neglected them, for, during the fishing 
season, the whole coast of the island is studded with their vessels, while its 
natives pay but little attention to this pursuit. This neglect may, probably, 
be attributed to several causes. A want of enterprise, and, to some extent, 
of means, is one of the principal. The high protective duty heretofore im- 
posed by the States, but now abolished by the Klgin treaty, on colonial taken 
fish, may have operated in this respect : but another and more general rea- 
son may be found in the superior quality of the island soil. As soon as a 
fisherman arrives on the island, he does not long remain one, but turns his 
attention to the cultivation of the soil ; and between a little fishing and a 
little farming, he too often contrives to spoil both. 

The harbors of the island are well adapted for this pursuit, and almost 
every kind of fish are most abundant, but especially mackarel, cod, herrings 
and alewives. The Government will, if they substantiate their claim to the 
fishery reserve, as it is called, own a belt of land 500 feet in width round 
the coast, and up the rivers as far as the tide flows, in certain townships, and 
in' others the mere right of fishing ; and they will, no doubt, readily grant 
sites for establishments of this nature, or licenses to use the beach ; the samo 
privileges could, no doubt, be easily obtained from the proprietors. 

There are many small establishments for fishing along the coast, but the 



371 

principal are at Tignish and Cascumpeque, in Prince county, one at East 
Point, and another at Three Rivers, in King's county. 

The amount of tonnage bounty (now discontinued) paid by the Govern- 
ment in 1853, towards the encouragement of the fisheries, was £1,143 cur- 
rency. During that year, these bounties were paid on 750 barrels of mack- 
arel, 2,704 barrels of herring, 4,277 quintals of codfish, and 2,812 gallons 
of oil. 

COMMERCE, REVENUE, Ac. 

Shipping.— In 1846, the island owned 265 vessels : in 1850, the num- 
ber owned and registered was 310, of the gross burthen of 27.972 tons; 

and in 1851, it amounted to 323 vessels, of the burthen of 31,410 tons. 
Vessels entered inwards in 

1850. 1851. 

Number of ships, 557 533 

Tons, 25,017 24,993 

Seamen, 2,082 2,370 

Vessels entered outwards : 

1850. 1851. 

Number of ships, 638 621 

Tons, 40,322 41,823 

Seamen, 2,301 3,631 

Number of vessels built in 

1852. 1853. 1854. 

Ships, 74 76 106 

Tonnage, 10,104 13,340 24,111 

Gross amount of imports in sterling : 

1850. 1851. 1852. 1853. 1854. 

£123,117 £134,648 £172,088 £210,678 £273,191 
Exports in 1853.— Cattle, 401; sheep, 408; beef and pork, 2,042 
barrels: barley and oats, 522,000 bushels; flour, 119 barrels; oatmeal, 
1,070 barrels; dried fish, 11,534 quintals; fish, 5,507 barrels: potatos 
and vegetables, 149,241 bushels; boards, 2,620 feet; lathwood, 256 cords; 
shingles, 346 thousand ; timber, 7,511 tons — the whole value of timber ex- 
ported being £24 295 sterling. 

In 1852, the principal exports were : barley and oats, 600,877 bushels; 
potatos and vegetables; 241,687 bushels ; fish, 5,507 barrels ; dried fish, 
11,534 quintals; value of timber, £18,700 sterling. 

The above figures do not include all the exports, but nearly the principal 
items. It will be seen that they consist, principally, of farm produce, which 
speaks well for the agricultural capabilities of the island ; but to illustrate 
these more strongly, we give the following statement, derived from the best 
authority, of the value, in sterling money, of this description of exports, for 
the three years ending 1853 : 

1851. 
Barley, £4.084 ; cattle and beef, £1,738 ; wheat and flour, £566 ; oats 
and oatmeal, £21,882; pork, £92; potatos, £7,984; sheep, £134; tur- 
nips and carrots, £1,252. 

1852. 
Barley, £5,349 ; cattle and beef, £2,678 ; wheat and flour, £758; oats 



372 

and oatmeal, £36,795 ; pork, £1,996 ; potatos, £12,894 ; sheep, £316 ; 
turnips and carrots, £228. 

1853. 
Barley, £3,504 ; cattle and beef. £2,034 ; wheat and flour. £414 ; oats 
and oatmeal, £31.478 ; pork, £5,770 ; potatos. £11,308 ; sheep, £249 : 
horses, £7,769. 

Gross value of Exports : 

1852. 1853. 1854. * 

£103,256 . £127,346 £149,202 

The ports at which trade was carried on, during the year 1853, and the 

amount, in sterling money, of imports and exports at each. 

Charlotte Town, 
Bedeque, 
George Town, 
Col vi lie Bay, 
Tignish, 
Cascumpequ6, 
Malpeque, 
Murray harbor, 
St. Peter's, 
New London, 
Crapaud, 
Grand River, 
Orwell Bay, 

These sums are exclusive of fractional parts of a pound. 
There are no extensive manufacturing establishments on the island. 
According to the census, there were in operation in 

1841. 1848. 

Gristmills, 87 116 

Sawmills, 83 139; 

Threshing machines, 246 

Revenue. 

The amount of revenue collected in the undermentioned years was : 

1852, £20,188 sterling. £31.283 currency. 

1853, 23,563 " 35.345 " 

1854, 30,689 " 46^033 " 

Expenditure. 
1852. 1853. 1854. 

£14,856 £19,622 About £24,000 sterling. 

CURRENCY. 

The circulating medium of all the British North American Colonies dif- 
fers much in its relative value ; and the variation is greater in this than in 
either of the others. The value of island money, compared with that of the 
other Provinces, will be found on page 48. 

To change sterling into currency, one half must be added,— thus, £200 
sterling is equal to £300 currency ; and on the contrary, to bring currency 
into sterling, one-third is to be deducted,— thus, £450 currency ig equal to 
,£300 iterling. 



Imports. 


Exports. 


£148,209 


£49,003 


8.670 


21,566 


20,132 


16,102 


7.664 


7,867 


2,678 


3,949 


2,978 


3.622 


7,698 


4,704 


2,910 


2,934 


1,800 


1,724 


671 


4.248 


776 


4,936 


2,539 


4,818 


3,887 


1,868 



373 



CHAPTER V 



EMIGRATION. 

From the earliest period since the discovery of the American Continent, 
this subject has been a favorite object with the statesmen of Great Britain. 
The planting new colonies engaged the attention of every successive Sove- 
reign since Queen Elizabeth. From time to time the work of colonization 
has proceeded ; sometimes from motives of private profit, or patriotic views ; 
sometimes to escape from religious persecution, at others to avoid the horrors 
of poverty ; sometimes as a private speculation on some system or attempted 
system, but oftener without any system at all. And who shall say, looking 
at the vast christian population now occupying the territories formerly ap- 
pertaining to the wild beasts of the forests, or the scarcely less wild Indi- 
ans, that King Charles the First was not right, when he said, in his letter 
to the Baronets of Scotland, previously to the abortive attempt then made for 
the settlement of ancient Nova Scotia, that it was " a work (the coloniza- 
tion of North America,) which we consider to be for the glory of God, and 
the honor of the Nation, from the benefit that is likely to flow from the 
right prosecution of it." 

And who indeed, that talks at the commercial intercourse carried on by 
the mother country, with her North American dependencies, will not admit 
that great and lasting benefits have "flowed from the prosecution of this 
mighty work." 

Among the nobility and statesmen of Britain who have recently directed 
their attention to this subject, we may mention, besides the late Earl of 
Selkirk, whose exertions were unparalleled ; the late Dukes of Richmond, 
and Argyle, Lord McDonald, Lords Normanby, Palmerston, and Sydenham, 
W. Chisholm, Sir Augustus D. Easter, Dr. Norman McLeod, and the 
Earl of Mountca9hell ; and not a Governor of one of these Colonies but has 
gone home fully sensible of the importance of emigration to British Ameri- 
ca. Lord Durham, whose able report first carried conviction to England of 
the great value of Canada, and every one of the late and present Govern- 
ors of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, have held, 
and still hold, the same opinion. 

It matters not to enquire into the reasons for all of these eminent men 
having arrived at the same conclusion. Some, perhaps, saw most strongly 
the benefits that would accrue to an overcrowded and frequently starving 
population at home, from their removal to a country where there was, and 
still is, ample land for their occupation, and where food could be plentifully 
obtained for their labor. 

Others again perceived the vast industrial resources open on this side of 
tb# Atlantic, lying idl© and unimproved, and many more actuated by both 



374 

motives ; there were others who encouraged emigration on the grounds that 
it would elevate the manufacturing classes at home. Among the latter we 
find Lord Brougham, himself, an host, who uses the very strong expression, 
that " every one driven into a tree in British North America sets in motion 
a shuttle in Manchester or Sheffield." 

The greatest obstacle in the way of emigration, to these Colonies, has, 
heretofore, been the want of system on the part of its promoters, conse- 
quently some distress has inevitably arisen. Recently the Province of Cana- 
da has done much in the improvement of their system by the employment 
of Doctor Rolph, formerly of Ancaster, Canada, an able energetic gentle- 
man, who laid the results of his extensive acquaintance with that Province 
before the British public, in consequence of which Canada has recently re- 
ceived an unparalleled stimulus through his instrumentality, while ibe three 
lower Prvvinces have been allowed to remain comparatively unnoticed. 

It is utterly futile to talk of the settlement of a country without first 
making it known both at home and abroad. The United States and Canada 
have published their great resources far and wide, so that not only has the 
whole tide of emigration been directed to these countries, but a large portion 
of the wealth of Europe has found its way there also. And if the Pro- 
vinces, which are the subject of this volume, are desirous of advancing, they 
must report their vast latent resources in those regions of the world, where 
so much surplus labor and capital now lie dormant. And previous to any 
extensive emigration being resolved upon, preparation should be made by , 
locating townships and constructing roads through them, and affording other 
facilities for settlement. 

Before, however, proceeding further in the subject of our remarks, we 
shall lay before the emigrant a brief outline of the vast extent of unim- 
proved land, and which may be profitably cultivated, within the boundaries 
of these three Colonies : — 

New Brunswick contains, exclusive of water, 17,677,360 acres. 

Granted, (nearly) 6,677,360 " 



Total ungranted, 11,000.000 " 

Quantity unfit for profitable cultivation, 4,000,000 " 

Good arable land still ungranted, 7,000,000 " 

The upset price of this land, is two shillings sterling per acre. 
Of the quantity granted, there are still unimproved. 6,000,000 acres. 

Of which there are fit for cultivation, 4.500 ; 000 " 

If we add to this the vacant crown land fit for settlement, we have 11,- 
000.000 acres of land of a good quality for agricultural operations, still ly- 
ing in a wilderness state. Hence, there could be settled on the crown land 
of the Province, allowing each settler one hundred acres, 70,000 families, 
and on private property, 40,000 families ; consequently 110,000 families 
could be settled in addition to the 35,000 families now in the Province, and 
still there would be abundance of land left for fuel and lumbering ope- 
rations. 

There are upwards of 200,000 acres of the public lands located and 
ready for settlement. As to the localities, where the best facilities are to 
be found for settlement in this Province, the reader is referred to the des- 
criptions given in a former part of this work of the different Counties of 
New Brunswick. 



375 

Nova Scotia contains, exclusive of water, about 12,000,000 acres. 

Of this quantity, there are still ungranted and fit for 

settlement, 1,000,000 " 

On which, at 100 acres for each family, 10,000 families could be located. 
Of the quantity granted, there is fit for settlement about 5,000,000 acres. 
Of which, there is improved about 1,000,000 " 



Still unimproved, 4,000,000 " 

Hence, there are about 5,000,000 acres of good land still unsettled in 

Nova Scotia, on which if we allow 100 acres to each settler, 50,000 settlers 

could be located, in addition to the 50,000 families, which now inhabit the 

Province. 

The crown land in tjiis Province is sold at ten pounds currency per one 

hundred acres, including the cost of survey. 

Prince Edward Island contains 1,360,000 acres. 

Of which there are fit for settlement, 1,020,000 tc 

The Government owns, 80,000 " 

There are in the whole, not les3 than 600,000 acres of good land on the 
Island still unsettled, which would afford space for 600 families. As to the 
manner of disposing of the lands of the Island the reader is referred to the 
last Chapter. 

Hence, we are fully within moderate limits, when we say that there could 
be settled on the crown lands of these three Colonies, 80,800 families, and 
on private property, 90,000. Making a grand total of 170,800 families, 
that could be located on the still unimproved lands of these three valuable 
Provinces. 

The Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Land Company own 550,000 
acres near the centre of the latter Province, which they sell at low prices, 
and the St. Andrew's and Quebec Railway Company own nearly 200,000 
acres in the south west section of the Province, some of which is being sold 
at twenty shilling per acre ; with the exception of these tracts, and the ori- 
ginal grant of Prince Edward Island, there are no large districts granted to 
companies, so that the principal part of the unsettled lands are in the pos- 
session of the local governments and private individuals, by the former of 
whom they are sold on application at mere nominal prices. 

The following pages will be found to contain as much practical informa- 
tion and directions to intending emigrants as some little experience and ob- 
servation have enabled us to supply as to the course to pursue in order to 
obviate some of the hardships, for hardships there undoubtedly are, to be 
undergone, and to secure the results to be reasonably expected from a settle- 
ment in these colonies. 

Before proceeding, however, with this part of our subject, it may be use- 
ful to take a hasty glance at the condition of the mass of the people, " the 
poor" of the United Kingdom. It is not necessary to refer to those times 
of extreme distress when employment could not be obtained, and when the 
scanty remuneration, grudgingly afforded to the agricultural laborer, was 
eked out by the parish allowance, so as to enable him barely to sustain his 
family. It is not necessary to describe the destitution of the manufacturers 
of Paisley, or of many of the districts of Lancashire and Yorkshire ; or 
the famine by which Ireland, and other portions of Britain, were sorely af- 
flicted. Those times, we may hope, have passed away. Still the poor have 



376 



not ceased to exist in the land ; and it may be well to contrast the position 
of many a hard working man in England, Scotland and Ireland, with that 
in which he may be placed in these colonies. Taking for example the best 
agricultural districts in the kingdom. Wages are now comparatively good, 
employment is more abundant, and the laborer may perhaps be earning 
twelve shillings a week, while in this country he earns more than double that 
sum ; in the former instance he is enabled, by the liberality of the land- 
lord, to rent his little plot of ground ; and he is in comparative com- 
fort—comparative with regard to his situation in times of great commercial 
and agricultural depression, But what hope has he of bettering himself? 
He cannot acquire a title to a foot of ground ; he cannot, by the utmost 
economy, realize enough to stock the smallest holding that any prudent land- 
lord will rent to him. The days of small farms have passed away ; and he 
and his offsprings must be centent to remain day laborers from generation 
to generation, and to trust in old age or calamity, to the tender mercies of 
the union. As to education, there are charity schools ; and thankful is the 
laborer for the great boon thus afforded him, for the limited instruction given 
— but still it is given to him — he cannot afford to pay for it ; and thus the 
spirit of independance is lost ; the best stimulus to exertion ceases ; and it 
is to this cause that the striking difference between the inhabitants of these 
Provinces and that of the old country is to be attributed. 

And if we turn to the manufacturing districs of the mother country, is 
the picture any better ; for there also, more disheartening means are found 
to operate. It is utterly impossible for the manufacturer to elevate himself 
above his more scanty pitance, or even to give his children an ordinary edu- 
cation. 

Until recently, »the principal portion of the emigration from Europe has 
been directed to the American Union. That country has long been an 
asylum for a vast number of the surplus population of Great Britain; in- 
deed the exodus from Ireland alone, it is said, has of late far exceeded that 
from all the rest of Europe. 

In June, 1841, the population of Ireland numbered 8,175,124 ; and in 
March, 1851, it only amounted to 6,515,794; shewing a decrease in ten 
years of 1,659,330. This diminution of the Celtic race in Ireland was ow- 
ing partly to the emigration, and partly to the famine of 1847, which spread 
death throughout the land. The first cause still continues to operate at the 
rate of from 250,000 to 300,000 per annum, and the number, leaving Eng- 
land, Scotland and Germany, have latterally been very considerable. 

The removal of such large bodies of the human family from one country, 
climate, and government, to other regions so entirely different, is one of the 
most remarkable social phenomena of the present century. There appears 
to be little reluctance, in this age, to leave one's country, the land of one's 
childhood, and the home of early associations. The great desideratum with 
the emigrant is improvement in his social, moral, political, and pecuniary 
condition ; an object undoubtedly highly important to the welfare of our 
race, and which may be attained, in a greater or less degree, either in the 
United States, or in the British North American Provinces. Until within 
the last few years, and since Canada, California, and Australia have become 
better known in Europe, the States were the only land of promise to the 
emigrating thousands of the mother country. With regard to the two lat- 
ter, although their gold has attracted to them a large amount of population, 
yet it is undeniable that their social, moral and physical condition cannot be 



377 

compared to that enjoyed by the inhabitants of these Provinces ; and if we 
look at the steady, and, of late years, rapid march of improvement that has 
characterized the three lower colonies in every department, we can only ac- 
count for the fact of their being inferior in population, in proportion to their 
extent and capabilities, to the surrounding countries, by the best of all rea- 
sons, namely — the ignorance existing abroad of the vast available resources 
with which they so richly abound. 

The various statistical details given in the foregoing pages will establish 
the fact that, considering their meagre population, there is no country on 
this side the Atlantic that has advanced more rapidly, within the last few 
years, than New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward's Island ; and 
even in the worst times, when their commerce lay prostrate, and disease was 
destroying that valuable esculent, the potato, for the production of which, 
both as to quantity and quality, thej are so justly famed, no person starved, 
none died of want, and there were no symptoms of that filthy wretched- 
ness and misery which characterize so large a portion of the European pop- 
ulation, even in the most prosperous periods. Here every man possesses a 
high degree of independance ; so much so that, especially among the native 
born, all aim at being masters; few are willing to remain servants; and 
none think of continuing in that capacity more than one or two years. 

As to the climate and agricultural capabilities of these Provinces, and the 
various pursuits presented by the developement of their resources, it is need- 
less here to repeat what we have said in other places in this volume, on these 
and other subjects, but we merely refer the reader to the articles treating on 
them for further information. 

The laws of these Colonies are wholesome and well administered, and life 
and property are as secure as in any other American country, or even in the 
best governed states of Europe. In this respect we yield to no nation in 
the world, possessing all the advantage of English law, divested of much of 
its technicality, expense and delay. Offences of an aggravated character 
are scarcely known to exist, especially among the native born. Seldom, 
indeed, do we hear of man laying violent hands on his fellow man ; law and 
order are every where respected ; and every man can go about his business 
without fear of molestation. 

It is not unfrequent to meet with large communities, composed of hundreds 
of families, without even an action of assault being brought within the year, 
and this fact is, of itself, sufficient, as far as the morality of the country is* 
concerned, to warrant the stranger, at least as far as peace and quietness is 
concerned, in adopting these Provinces as a home for himself and his family. 
Cases of felony are still more rare, and the lower Provinces do not afford so 
much experience in this way, as would be gained by one day's attendance at 
a police office in any of the large European cities. In a word, all here ap- 
pear to be in a happy and thriving condition, and last, though not least, in 
this money making age, every person seems to prosper. 

It is material to the emigrant, if he has a family, that there are upwards of 
2,000 schools scattered over these Provinces in such a way that there is scarce- 
ly a settlement of half a dozen families that cannot participate in the benefits 
of education, and the people possess full freedom both in religion and poli- 
tics. The country is not infected with Knoiv-Nothingism or any peculi- 
arity which leads to divisions among the people ; the only subject of a pub- 
lic nature, is what at the present time is falsely called Temperance ; 
thia subject) has, and still does, excite the public mind, an<J laws are being 
BO 



378 



enacted respecting it, which certainly do interfere with the rights of the sub- 
ject. But time, that faithful teacher, will no doubt settle the extremes 
down to consistency. 

Politically, the people are being educated so as appreciate the fact, that 
measures not men are the best modus operandi of civil government, which 
is the principal reason why those Provinces, with so limited a population, 
compared with their extent and resources, have made such steady and per- 
manent advances. 

As the civil and religious liberties enjoyed by a country are two great 
cardinal beauties of its government, these Provinces certainly, in this res- 
pect, have good reason to be thankful. In religion, as in politics, all enjoy 
liberty to adhere to any church, or to none — to contribute to the support of 
any church, or none— just as they pleasef or as their conscience may dic- 
tate. As to poor, there is no comparison between the poor of this country 
(if speaking comparatively, they can be so called,) and those of any coun- 
try in Europe. 

We are most desirous that those wishing to settle in British America, should 
study its various resources, so that they may not be misled with regard to 
the difficulties and hardships to be encountered by ail new settlers ; for even 
here some difficulty and hardships must be encountered ; although perhaps 
they would hardly be considered worth notice by those hardy emigrants of 
the last age, the principal "part of whom came to this country and settled 
among savages without a pound in their pockets. Future emigrants can 
know, comparatively nothing of the difficulties encountered by the first set- 
tlers of the country. We could name large and flourishing settlements which, 
fifteen or twenty years ago, were a mere solitary wilderness ; but which, with- 
in that period, have been settled by persons who emigrated from what we 
familiarly call " the old country." Many of these flourishing villages were 
composed chiefly of persons who began to clear up new farms without pe- 
cuniary means, without a knowledge of the country, or its usages, without 
knowing how to use that all important implement, the axe, without the abi- 
lity to pay a fraction for their lands, and at that time frequently at such a 
distance from other settlements, that their provisions had to be carried for 
miles on their backs, over bad roads, or through mere wood paths. These, 
indeed, were hardships, but they were only temporary. Yet these men. 
having located themselves in a healthy country, have by their sobriety, in- 
dustry, and attention to their farms, not only paid for their grants and se- 
cured to themselves a competency, but are now settling their families around 
them, with good roads and schools, affording privileges in the way of educa- 
tion and otherwise, which the original settlers themselves could, in scarcely 
any instance, have received from their parents before leaving Europe. Into 

fat a different state of society do these men find themselves transplanted, 
the expiration of this short period, from that in which they were living 
at the place of their birth. Then many of them were existing in misery 
and servitude, all in a state of dependance in which they and their posterity 
must have continued ; here after a few years, though some of them may 
have seen years of hardships, they are living in abundance, paying no tax, 
except perhaps some trifle for the maintenance of some old decrepid person, 
who, through mismanagement or accident, is unable to procure his own sup- 
port. Here, too, they are eligible to any o$ce, from that of a parish officer 
to a seat in the Legislature, for whiqb their education ?v their abilities may 
qualify them. 



379 

In these last observations we have confined ourselves to the case of emi- 
grants arriving in the Provinces under very different circumstances from 
those who may now adopt them for their country. The Governments having 
expended large sums in opening new roads and repairing old ones, have 
rendered the wilderness more easy of access ; affording means to the 
destitute emigrant, of supplying himself with immediate employment, 
and habituating him to the country, previously to fixing himself on a farm. 
The facilities for locomotion are vastly improved, and the settlements almost 
continuous, so that most of the difficulties experienced by the early emi- 
grants to these Colonies have now ceased to exist. 

Again, the construction of railways has actually commenced; 130 miles 
of which are under contract in New Brunswick, from St. John to the Nova 
Scotia boundary, and a similar distance is being built in Nova Scotia, and 
the St. Andrews' and Woodstock line is fast progressing towards completion, 
besides other lines in contemplation, which will, in the whole, afford employ- 
ment for several thousands of persons for years to come. 

The length of the various lines of railway contemplated by the Provinces 
of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, exclusive of the Halifax and Quebec 
line, will not fall short of 700 miles, the completion of which, will be the 
steady aim of these Provinces, and will afford employment for a portion of 
the surplus capital and unemployed population of the mother country ; be- 
sides which a vast extent of new land will be opened for settlement by the 
various lines and the common roads which must connect with them. 

Shipbuilding, for which these Colonies are so highly famed, will no doubt 
continue to afford employment to a large population ; as nearly one half the 
cost of building a ship is expended in labor. The reader may imagine the 
vast amount that will be required in the prosecution of this business, which 
must continue to be one of the staple resources of the Colonies as long as 
their forests last, a period almost interminable. 

As to the extent and character of the common roads and other travelling 
facilities, the numerous telegraph lines, the importance and vast extent of the 
coast and river fisheries, the improvements made in the extension of settle- 
ments, and the other latent resources, the reader is referred to the various 
articles embodied in this work for more minute details. 

A heavy responsibility is incurred by those who presume to advise an in- 
tending emigrant in the choice of his adopted country ; and this we should 
equally feel in speaking of these Provinces as of any other section of this 
Continent. Difficulties will arise, hardships have to be borne, and disap- 
pointments will occur wherever he may bend his course. Dissatisfaction too 
often ensue, and the poor man regrets, perhaps, that he had left the land of 
the Shamrock, the Rose, or the Thistle ; frequently giving verification to the 
proverb : " that home is home, be it ever so homely." But these fond as- 
sociations cease as circumstances improve, and the emigrant sees his family 
settled around him in comparative wealth, exercising their religious and civil 
liberties without restraint. 

We have endeavored to place before the public, and those who may peruse 
our statistical statements with a view to emigration, plainly and truly, such 
facts as we could collect of a useful nature. Still, emigrants must judge for 
themselves. We are, however, justified in asserting that there are few 
places on this continent where well-directed labor is better remunerated, in 
times of ordinary prosperity. All we ask, therefore, of this class of our 
readers, will be to make themselves acquainted with the resources of the 




380 

country — with what they may fairly expect, if they do adopt it as their fu- 
ture home ; and then, having carefully estimated their prospects in the land 
of their birth, to judge for themselves, and thus probably save much disap- 
pointment ; or, at any rate, they will only have to blame themselves, should 
they be disappointed in the results. 

The first consideration, therefore, for every man contemplating emigra- 
tion, must be his position at home, of which he is, of course, the best judge, 
and whether he can improve it by removal. To decide the last question, he 
must be probably informed as to the character of the country to which he 
proposes to remove— information which it has been the object of the forego- 
ing pages to afford ; and lastly, the course to be pursued on his arrival. 
We will now proceed to give the best directions in our power as to this last 
and most important point : 

1. The best season for the arrival of the European emigrant on these 
shores is about the first of May, which will afford him suitable time, before 
winter sets in, to become acquainted with the country, its climate and usages. 

We caution all emigrants, intending to settle in the lower provinces, against 
embarking for Quebec, or any of the ports on the river Saint Lawrence, as 
there are no steamers or regular means of conveyance from thence to the 
ports of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince E. Island. All emigrants 
should reserve their passage tickets, in order that, if the terms of their 
agreement with the ship-master should not be complied with, they may have 
access thereto, and obtain redress. There is an emigrant fund, from which 
sick emigrants alone are entitled to support. 

2. The principal places in the United Kingdom, to which emigrants re- 
sort for embarkation, and where they find the greatest facilities, are Liver- 
pool, London, Bristol, Glasgow, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Aberdeen, Dublin, 
Cork, and Belfast. The ports of disembarkation are Halifax, Pictou, Pug- 
wash, and Yarmouth, in Nova Scotia ; St. John, Saint Andrew : s, Shediac, 
Buctouche, Miramichi, and the ports in the Bay Chaleur, in New Bruns- 
wick ; and Charlottetown, in Prince Edward Island. Persons desirous of 
settling in the eastern sections, either of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or 
Prince E. Island, where certainly the greatest facilities for settlement pre- 
sent themselves, should sail direct to Pictou, Pugwash, Shediac, Bichibucto, 
Miramichi, Charlottetown, or the ports on the Bay Chaleur, according to the 
locality they may have made choice of. The average length of passage to 
either of these ports is about thirty-seven days. Those who may bend their 
course to the southern or western parts of either Nova Scotia or New Bruns- 
wick, should choose Halifax or Yarmouth, in the one Province, and St. John 
or St. Andrew's, in the other. The average passage to either of these ports 
is about thirty-six days. Here we may be allowed to caution the emigrant, 
if he land either on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia or the Bay of Fundy 
shore, either of that Province or New Brunswick, not to be alarmed at the 
sight of rocks or tracts of sterile soil ; or if he see snow lying late on the top of 
some high hill, he must not hastily conclude that winter has a life-lease of 
the whole country, or that there is not rich arable land in these fine provin- 
ces. Let him take a ramble into the interior, when such erroneous notions, 
should they be entertained for a time, would, speedily be eradicated. 

The following is a scale of the usual cost of a passage from Britain to 
either of these colonies : 

Cabin passage, with provisions, from £12 to £15 sterling. 

Intermediate do., 4 to 3 " 



381 

Intermediate do., without provisions, about ,£4 sterling. 
Steerage, with full allowance of provisions, 6 to 7 " 
Do., without provisions beyond the legal allow- 
ance, 3 to 3 10 u 

Distances from ports in America to England : 

Halifax to Liverpool, 2.800 miles. 

St. John " 3,' 053 " 

Boston " < 3,000 " 

New York " 3,100 " 

Charlottetown " 3,000 " 

Shediac (via Gut of Canseau), 3,080 ;: 

Note. — The reader is referred to the table of distances, page 21, of this 
work. 

All emigrants are, on their arrival in New Brunswick, detained at the 
quarantine station until they have been examined by the proper medical of- 
ficer. The tax on each emigrant is 2s. Id. sterling, or 2s. 6d currency, 
which the master of the ship has to pay ; and in addition to which, if there 
are any lunatic, idiot, maimed, blind, aged or infirm person, not belonging 
to an emigrant family, a bond must be executed that such person shall not 
become chargeable to the Province for three years. The other colonies have 
arrangements, respecting the landing of emigrants, similar to those of New 
Brunswick. 

3. All persons, but especially those not bred to any mechanical trade, 
should, as soon as they have sufficient acquaintance with the manner of per- 
forming the several labors of the country, procure a small tract of good 
land, not exceeding one hundred acres, unless they have extra means at com- 
mand ; and even in that case, it will be found more advantageous to expend 
a portion of the capital in the improvement of a small farm, than to exhaust 
the whole in a large investment of this nature — an error into which emi- 
grants frequently fall. 

4. As the credit system, or " paying in kind," is still very prevalent in 
many parts of these Provinces, the emigrant cannot be too strongly caution- 
ed against making any purchase of land, until he shall have realized, by his 
labor, if he is not previously master of sufficient means, enough to pay the 
purchase money. It is not unfrequently the case that an emigrant, looking 
only at the comparatively small cost of 3 or 400 acres of land, and dazzled 
by the name of a landholder, applies, immediately on his arrival, for a large 
tract, perhaps not judiciously selected ; the cost of the grant being paid by 
some capitalist, who may probably favor him with supplies. The nominal 
owner, after years spent in hard labor by himself and his family, finds that 
he is obliged to let his benefactor take the whole. We could name instan- 
ces where this has occurred, and the emigrant and his family have had to 
betake themselves to the wilderness, and, with the aid of their dear-bought 
experience, in a few years more, rendered themselves independent. 

5. After the emigrant has been enabled to settle himself on a lot of land, 
he should devote the whole, or by far the greatest part of his attention to its 
improvement. And here, again, we cannot too strongly condemn the prac- 
tice, so frequently pursued, namely, that of abandoning the cultivation of 
the soil, whenever the demand for labor increases, and returning to it as soon 
as that demand abates. All who know anything of farming will concede the 
fact that to farm well requires undivided attention. 



382 

6. As the emigrant should avoid running into deht, he should be careful 
not to settle on poor land ; the almost certain consequence of such a step, at 
the outset, is to keep himself poor. With regard to general information res- 
pecting immediate requirements, it is the duty of the emigration officers and 
deputy treasurers to afford it to those who arrive in the provinces ; and the 
inhabitants of the country will not be found backward in this respect ; but 
the land surveyors will generally be best able to give the best directions, 
both as to the situation of good land for settlement, and other local facilities. 
And as the labor of farming is so varied, there is no way in which the fami- 
ly of the emigrant can be more profitably employed than in agricultural 
pursuits. 

7. It is frequently found advisable for a man with a family, and without 
money, to rent an old farm for a year or two, until he is enabled to secure 
some means, and becomes familiarized with the country ; and this can gen- 
erally be done in the more densely populated districts, It is very custom- 
ary for parties letting to receive labor on the land, or farm produce, in pay- 
ment of rent, which gives the renter a great advantage. 

8. The following list will shew the kind of pursuits most in request in 
this country, and the wages generally paid per day, in addition to board and 
lodging : 

Currency. Sterling. 

Carpenters and joiners 

receive from 6s. Od. to 7s. 6d. 4s. 9d. to 5s. ll|d. 

Masons, 7s. 6d. to 10s. Od. 5s. ll|d. to 7s. lid. 

Bricklayers and black- 
smiths, do. do. do. do. 

Tailors, 6s. Od. to 8s. Od. 4s. 9d. to 6s. 4d. 

Cabinet makers, 4s. lOd. to 6s. Od. 4s. Od. to 5s. Od. 

Coopers, 3s. 7d. to 43. lOd. 3s. Od. to 4s. Od. 

Farm laborers, 3s. Od. to 4s. 6d. 2s. 4Jd. to 3s. 7d. 

Tanners and curriers, 5s. Od. to 7s. 6d. 4s. Od. to 5s. lljd. 

Sail makers, 6s. Od. to 7s. 3d. 5s. Od. to 6s. Od. 

Ship carpenters, 3s. 9d. to 5s. Od. 3s. Od. to 4s. Od. 

Shoe makers, 3s. Od. to 4s. Od. 2s. 4Jd. to 3s. 2d. 

Plasterers, 5s. Od. to 7s. 6d. 4s. Od. to 5s. 11 Jd. 

Painters, 4s. Od. to 5s. Od. 3s. 2d. to 4s. Od. 

Millers, do. do. do. do. 

Millwrights, 5s. Od. to 6s. 6d. 4s. Od. to 5s. ljd. 

Lumberers receive from three to five pounds per month ; book-binders 

and printers earn from £3 10s. to £4 currency per month ; dairy-women 

from £10 to £12 currency per annum. 

When board and lodging are not included, as they are in the above scale, 

from nine to fifteen shillings per week, according to the price of provisions, 

must be added. 

The artizans and mechanics most in request in this country are masons, 

carpenters, blacksmiths, ship builders, bricklayers, shoe makers, sail makers, 

tailors, tin-smiths, saddle and harness makers, and painters. 

9. The average rate of wages for agricultural labor, in addition to board, 
washing, and lodging, may be taken as follows : 

Able-bodied men, by the year, £25 currency. 

Do., by the month, during harvest, 3 

Do., winter months, '2 " 



5 ; < 


110 


" 


4 


" 


4 


5 " 


6 



383 

Wages per day, during harvest, 3s. to 4s. 6d. 

Other summer months, 2s. 6d. li 

During 1854, the price of labor far exceeded these rates. Good men 
have been getting from £4 to £5 per month, during the year. It is not to 
be expected that the emigrant, on his first arrival, can know how to perform 
much of the work of this country so efficiently as those brought up in it ; 
he must not fall into the too common error of expecting as high wages as 
the more skilful workmen for the first year or two. 

There is a great demand in towns for domestic servants, and in the rural 
parts of the country, farm servants are also much wanted, and can always 
find abundance of employment, at highly remunerative prices. Boys at the 
age of about 15 years can always obtain work, either at farming, or by bind- 
ing themselves for three or four years to a mechanical trade. 

10. Price of Agricultural Implements : — 

Ploughs, from £2 10 to £5 currenry. 

Cultivators, 1 

Harrows, 1 

Hay and Straw Cutters, 2 

Scythes, 5 " 6 6d. 

Artizans may bring out with them any portable tools they may possess ; 
but agriculturists need not bring articles of husbandry to ^this country, as 
they can be purchased here cheaply. 

Emigrants may bring warm clothing, and such domestic articles, if not 
too bulky, as they may possess, and also all the books they may have or 
obtain without too great an outlay. 

The most useful implements required by the emigrant on his settling in 
either of these colonies, are an axe, a hand (cross cut) saw, nail hammer, 
spade, scythe, sickle, one inch chisel, one inch augur, two or three gimblets, 
and shoemaker's awls, and a couple of pinchers. He should not omit, for the 
use of the female part of his family, a spinning wheel, hand reel and loom, 
a pair of hand cards, and other articles of a domestic nature, all of which 
can be obtained in this country at a cheap rate ; and the sooner a new set- 
tler and his family learn the use of these and other similar implements, the 
better it will be for their comfort. In fact, necessity compels the emigrant 
for the first four or five years after he locates himself on a new farm, to 
convert his house into a miniature manufactory, where 
use, clothing, &c, could be made. 

11. Average Price of Farming Stock :■ 

A good cart horse, 

A serviceable riding horse, , 

A yoke of oxen, 

A good milch cow, 

A " pig one year old, 

A pig one month old, 

Sheep, per pair, 

The reader is referred to the articles, Climate and Agriculture, for fur- 
ther information on these points, pages 49 and 56. 

12. — The average price, per acre, of clearing land and erecting 
buildings ; — 

For chopping an acre of wilderness land, $1 10 our, 

Piling, burning off, and fencing (i I 10 M 



re all utensils for farm 


£20 


currency. 


25 


u 


16 


u 


5 


a 


2 


. - k 


5 


n 


1 5 


(( 



384 

Planting one acre of potatoes on burnt land, 1 cur. 

Stumping one acre of land, 1 10 " 

Erecting a comfortable log- house, 16 " 

All these prices will be found to vary according to circumstances ; for ex- 
ample, an expert axe-man will chop an acre of land, in some situations, in 
four days, while in others it would take him six ; again, half a dozen men, 
with a yoke of oxen, would errect a log-house or barn for half the amount 
a contracter would ask. 

There is a custom throughout the new settlements in these Colonies that 
the neighbors should assemble and assist a new comer in the erection of his 
buildings or the chopping and clearing his first field, which is highly impor- 
tant at the outset. 

Emigrants will find it advantageous to settle in groups, and if possible where 
there are settlers scattered round, who have had a few years' experience ; 
by familiar intercourse and conversation with them, they will spedily learn 
much that will be useful both as to the manner of performing labor and 
other matters connected with the country. 

There is every inclination on the part of the Colonial Governments to 
assist emigrants, by opening new roads and granting such other facilities as 
the exigencies of the case may require. 

There are Surveyors in every county who are ready to lay out the land. 
&c. And where groups of persons are desirous of emigrating, they should 
send pioneers to make arrangements and prepare the way previous to bring- 
ing out their families, or make their intentions known to the emigrant officer 
of the port, at which they desire to land, at least a month or two previous 
to disembarkation. Such a course would save both them and their families 
much delay and expense, and probably if they have no mean's, save suffer- 
ing and inconvenience. 

The price of land cleared, either wholly or partially, depends on the lo- 
cality, quality of the soil, and the state of improvement. A farm of two 
hundred . acres, in a new settlement, with five acres under the plough, and 
about ten acres in pasturage, and ready for stumping, with a log-house and 
barn, will cost from £150 to £200 currency; with a frame house and barn, 
from £200 to £300. 

An emigrant possessed of £100 or £200 sterling, can settle himself and 
family comfortably on an old farm with considerable improvements ; and a 
man having £400 could locate himself in the more densely settled section 
of the country, where every luxury that he ought to require may be ob- 
tained. 

The validity of titles can be ascertained at the Register Office for each 
county, and all lands originally held in fee simple, by grants from the crown, 
under the great seal of the Province, without quit-rent, mines and minerals 
alone, been preserved to the crown. All private lands are transferred by 
deed, which is registered in the county where the land is situate. 



If 









Page 

23 — twelfth line from top, 

64 — seventh " 

68— fifteenth " 
103— twenty-third " 
137— " " 

140— twentieth " 
140— twenty-first " 
141— thirty-fourth" 
142 — thirty-second " 
146— ninth " 

165 — thirty-second " 
172— twenty-fourth" 
176— fiftieth f< 

184 — forty-second " 
187— twelfth " 

188— forty^second " 
189— third " 

190— fifty- first " 

191— twentieth " 
196— fifty-first, " 

201— thirty- fourth " 
202— twenty-sixth " 
207— fourteenth " 
222— eleventh " 

245— thirtieth M 

246 — thirty-second " 
147 — twenty-third " 
147— twenty-fourth " 
147— twenty-fifth " 
269— fourth " 

290— fifteenth " 

298 — twenty-second " 
303— twenty-fourth " 
310 — twenty-second " 
313 — thirty-second " 
331— ninth " 

354— fourty-eighth " 
359— thirty-fifth " 



E RR ATA. 




For 


Read 


"Vote," 


Veto. 


" Fleece," 


Flax. : 


"2000," 


2800. 


"Wild," 


Wide. # 


"Merepis," 


Nerepis. 


"998,898," 


99,898. 


"Inwards," 


Outwards. 


"L'Etary," 


L'Etang. 


"Dock," 


Dark. 


" Strong," 


Stoney. 


"Indirect," 


Insulated. 


"Streams," 


Steamers. 


" Fairogues," 


Perogues. 
And layed. 


" Proceed to lay," 


" Larger," 


Longer. 


" Sheltering," 


Stretching. 


" Parishes," 


Families. 


" Capt. Piper, R.E. 


," Capt. Pipen, R,B 


" 1852," 


1842. 


" Crept," 


Cropt. 


" Wild," 


Wide. 


" Useful," 


Awful. 


" Consist," 


Exist. 


"Seadoue," 


Scadouc. 


" Great of," 


Great mass of. 


" Quarter," 


Quota. 


"Some," 


None. 


" Absence," 


Abstract. 


"Science," 


Crime. 


"Liabilities," 


Localities. 


"9d.," 


9s. 


" Generally," 


Genera. 


" Represented," 


Reprehended 


" Inclusive," 


Exclusive. 


" 1843," 


1853. 


" Open accesses," 


Open the recesses. 


"Town," 


Term. 


" Clotting," 


Clothing. 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 



A Treatise on Theoretical and Practical Land Survey- 
ing, demonstrated from its first principles, and adapt- 
ed to Woodland Surveys. 



Opinions of the Press, and other Literary Gentlemen. 

"It is original in its contents, and many of its problems and diagrams have never 
before appeared in any work of the kind. The author cannot fail to obtain an ex- 
tensive sale for this important and valuable publication. The MS. has undergone the 
criticism of competent judges, and has proved highly satisfactory." — Mechanic and 
Farmer, Pictou. 

" A Treatise on Theoretical and Practical Land Surveying, aaapted particularly to the 
purposes of Wood Land Surveys — By Alexandef Monro, Land Surveyor, Pictou, 
N. S. Geldert and Patterson, 260 pp. — A work, having the above title, neatly got 
up, and having the reputation of much accuracy, and value, from competent judges, 
has been placed in our hands for notice. As a Colonial effort, we hail it with much 
pleasure, and receiving it as of particular importance in these Colonies where so much 
litigation arises from imperfect surveys. We are happy in extracting from the Au- 
thors' Preface a few observations in relation to it which we deem worthy of consider- 
ation. * * * * * * 

The publication is highly creditable to its author, and its typographical appearance 
is exceedingly good." — St. John, N. B., Courier. 

" The work will be found, from its simplicity, perspecuity, and comprehensiveness, 
eminently useful to practical men, and to gentlemen of the Legal Profession and Teach- 
ers, as well as those desiring to acquire initiation in the principles and practice of 
Land Surveying. As a literary and scientific production, the book is truly creditable 
to Provincial talent, and we cordially hope that its author will meet a due return, by 
the products of its sales, for the skill and labor bestowed on its composition." — St. 
John Observer. 

u Crown Land Office, Fredericton. 
Dear Sir — I accept, with many thanks, a copy of your Treatise on Land Surveying. 
It is an excellent work, and so well suited to this country, that no Practical Surveyor 
ought to be without it. I remain, Dear Sir, yours, &c, 

(Signed) THOMAS BAILLIE, Surveyor General. 

To Deputy A. Monro." 

" I have examined Mr. Alexander Monro's Treatise on Land Surveying, with atten- 
tion, and 1 have great satisfaction in adding my testimony to the liberality and accu- 
racy with which it has been composed. The typography, also, is excellent, and the 
diagrams are beautifully executed. It is my candid opinion that the young Surveyor 
will find it a sufficient and unerring guide to a knowledge of those branches which are 
indispensable to his profession, and that its merits justly entitle it to a place in every 
school in which mathematical science is taught. 

(Signed) JAMES PATERSON, L. L. D. 

Principal of the Grammar School, St. John, N. B." 

" To Mr. Alexander Monro — 

Sir — Your Treatise on Theoretical and Practical Land Surveying, seems to me ad- 
mirably adapted to the wants of this country, inasmuch as it contains within itself, 
just as much information as is requisite for its professed purpose, without presuming 
upon any previous acquaintance with Mathematical principles whatever. The ar- 
rangement of your subject is judicious, the rules are perspicuous, the diagrams remark- 
ably neat, and the tables, which are well got up, render the whole work the most com- 
plete thing of the kind, at so small a pi ice, that I have ever met with. * * * 
As an Instructor of Youth I strongly recommend the adoption of this work in the 
different Schools in the Province ; and I may also venture to express my conviction, 
that every practical Surveyor will do well to make it his pocket companion, 
I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) GEORGE ROBERTS, 

Head Master of the Collegiate School, Fredericton." 



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